SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6304

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of January 22, 2016

Title: An act relating to the sale of marijuana to regulated cooperatives.

Brief Description: Concerning the sale of marijuana to regulated cooperatives.

Sponsors: Senators Rivers, Conway and Hasegawa; by request of Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Labor: 1/22/16.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Staff: Richard Rodger (786-7461)

Background: Effective July 1, 2016, the Legislature authorized the creation of medical marijuana cooperatives. The cooperatives may have up to four patients and are authorized to grow medicinal marijuana for their own use. However, there are no statutory provisions that provide a legal pathway for cooperatives to acquire marijuana plants. Marijuana producers are not authorized to sell plants directly to marijuana cooperatives.

Summary of Bill: Licensed marijuana producers may grow marijuana plants for sale to medical marijuana cooperatives.

All marijuana plants grown by a medical marijuana cooperative must be purchased or cloned from a plant purchased from a licensed producer.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2016.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The bill creates a pathway for members of a medical marijuana cooperative to legally obtain marijuana plants. The current 15 plant threshold is sufficient for patients to grow the products for their own needs. However, the bill should be expanded to allow individual medical marijuana patients to grow their own plants outside a cooperative. The problem arises because of the limitation prohibiting cooperatives from growing within one mile of a retail store. Individuals who lived in a neighborhood before a retail store was licensed should be grandfathered in and allow to grow their own marijuana.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Joe Hyer, SONshine Organics Network / Governmental & Community Liason; James Paribello, WSLCB.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.