Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Commerce & Gaming Committee

HB 1370

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.

Brief Description: Creating additional training requirements for licensed marijuana retailers and their employees.

Sponsors: Representatives Kloba, Stanford and Appleton; by request of Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires marijuana retail employees to obtain a budtender permit to perform work involving the sale or service of marijuana products.

  • Requires the Liquor and Cannabis Board to establish a budtender permit program and develop program training materials.

Hearing Date: 1/31/19

Staff: Kyle Raymond (786-7190).

Background:

The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) issues licenses to marijuana retailers, authorizing the sale of marijuana concentrates, useable marijuana, and marijuana-infused products at retail outlets.

Licensed marijuana retailers must ensure all employees are 21 years of age or older and trained on:

A marijuana retailer's license is subject to forfeiture in accordance with state marijuana laws or rules adopted by the LCB.

Summary of Bill:

Marijuana retail employees must obtain a permit in order to perform work involving the sale or service of marijuana products. Marijuana retail licensees are not allowed to employ any person without a valid budtender permit. Employees must successfully complete the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) training to obtain a budtender permit, and the permit is valid for two years.

The LCB is required to develop a budtender training program. The training program may include the following topics: (1) state marijuana laws and rules; (2) safe marijuana product handling; and (3) reducing marijuana access among minors. The LCB must consult with the Department of Health to ensure the training curriculum does not include health or medical topics addressed under the medical marijuana consultant certificate.

The LCB may suspend or revoke a budtender permit if the holder has been convicted of violating state or local marijuana laws, or performed or permitted any act in a violation of state marijuana laws or regulation. A person whose permit has been revoked is not eligible for employment with a marijuana retailer for at least one year.

The LCB must suspend the permit for individuals who have failed to comply with a child support order, subject to reinstatement upon notice of compliance by the Department of Social and Health Services.

The LCB may suspend or revoke either the budtender permit of the employee or the license of the marijuana retailer employing the permit holder, or both the permit and the license, in the event the permit holder commits a violation. The LCB's rules must provide for an appeal process.

The LCB must adopt rules to: (1) establish the permit elements; (2) implement permit fees; and (3) create an appeals process for suspended or revoked budtender permits and retail licenses.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.