FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6177

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.

Background: In 2015, a marijuana research license was authorized to permit a licensee to produce and possess marijuana to test chemical potency and composition levels; conduct clinical investigations of marijuana-derived drug products; conduct research on the efficacy and safety of administering marijuana as part of a medical treatment; and conduct genomic or agricultural research.

Marijuana research license applicants must submit a description of the research the applicant intends to conduct to the Life Sciences Discovery Fund (LSDF). LSDF must review the project and determine if it meets one of the permitted research purposes. The application is rejected if LSDF does not find that the project is for a permitted research purpose. Fifty percent of the application fee and renewal fees must be deposited to the LSDF.

LSDF was established in 2005 to support the state’s life sciences sector and conduct related research. In 2015, the Legislature transferred $62 million from the LSDF's budget to the state general fund and prohibited the fund from making any grants after July 1, 2015.

Summary: The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), instead of LSDF, is assigned the lead role of reviewing projects submitted by marijuana research license applicants. The LCB must select a scientific reviewer to review the projects. Additional project assessment criteria is provided for the reviewer to consider. The research project applicant must pay the reviewer directly for the entire cost of the scientific review.

A new exemption is added to the Public Records Act that protects proprietary financial, commercial, operations, and technical and research information and data submitted to or obtained by the LCB in applications for marijuana research licenses, or in reports submitted by the licensees.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	49	0
House	93	4

Votes on Veto Override:

First Special Session

Senate	43	0
House	81	13