Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Commerce & Gaming Committee |
HB 2521
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: Allowing for proper disposal of unsellable marijuana by a licensed marijuana retail outlet.
Sponsors: Representatives Wylie and Condotta; by request of Liquor and Cannabis Board.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/25/16
Staff: Peter Clodfelter (786-7127).
Background:
Washington State Initiative 502 (I-502) was a ballot measure approved by Washington voters in November 2012 that: (1) legalized the production, processing, sale, possession, and personal use of marijuana and marijuana-derived products; (2) created a framework for a regulatory scheme to be further developed by the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) through its rule-making authority; and (3) implemented a taxation system for commercial marijuana enterprises. Under this regulatory scheme, a separate license is needed in order to produce, process, or sell at retail marijuana and marijuana-derived products. A licensed producer or processor may not also be a licensed marijuana retailer.
Licensed marijuana retailers are authorized to sell marijuana concentrates, useable marijuana, marijuana-infused products, and certain paraphernalia at retail to persons 21 years of age or older, subject to statutory and regulatory requirements. Among those requirements are that labels on marijuana-infused products and marijuana concentrates sold at retail must include a best by date and that licensed marijuana retailers may not sell marijuana products below acquisition cost or after the marijuana products' best by date passes.
Also, no licensed marijuana retailer or employee of a retail outlet may open or consume, or allow to be opened or consumed, any marijuana concentrates, useable marijuana, or marijuana-infused product on the outlet premises.
The LCB has adopted rules concerning the disposal of waste generated by marijuana producers and processors, which includes a process of grinding and incorporating marijuana and marijuana products into a mixture that is at least 50 percent nonmarijuana waste by volume, so that the marijuana and marijuana products are unuseable.
The LCB has not adopted rules concerning disposal of marijuana and marijuana products by licensed marijuana retailers.
Summary of Bill:
An exception is added to the requirement that no licensed marijuana retailer or employee of a retail outlet may open or consume, or allow to be opened or consumed, any marijuana concentrates, useable marijuana, or marijuana-infused product on the outlet premises in order to allow for disposal as authorized by the LCB.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2016.