The bill establishes the Washington State Cannabis Commission, tasked with overseeing research and education in the cannabis industry to promote safe cultivation and processing practices. The commission will conduct programs related to cannabis, provide funding for research, and advise stakeholders on cannabis matters. It will consist of 13 voting members, including cannabis producers and processors, and will operate under the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board's oversight. A referendum among active cannabis producers and processors will be required for the commission's approval, and it will have the authority to adopt bylaws, manage its operations, and develop an annual budget.

Additionally, the bill introduces new sections to regulate the commission, including financial management provisions and liability protections for its members. It mandates that the commission deposit collected funds into a separate account for operational expenditures and imposes a personal debt assessment on cannabis producers and processors at an initial rate of 0.29% of sales revenue. The commission can modify this assessment through a referendum. The bill also outlines the sharing of financial information between the commission and the board, ensures that commission members are not personally liable for official actions (except in cases of dishonesty or crime), and amends existing law to exempt commission officers and employees from certain provisions, thereby solidifying their operational framework.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 41.06.070
Substitute Bill: 41.06.070
Engrossed Substitute: 41.06.070
Second Engrossed Substitute: 41.06.070