The bill amends existing cannabis licensing laws to ensure that decisions made by the liquor and cannabis board align with local zoning ordinances. It introduces provisions that prevent the issuance of cannabis licenses if local authorities, such as cities or counties, submit written objections indicating that local zoning laws prohibit cannabis-related activities. The board is required to consider these objections in its licensing decisions and must notify local authorities if a license is denied based on their objections. Additionally, the bill emphasizes local input by giving significant weight to objections related to illegal activities associated with the applicant's operations.

Moreover, the bill establishes regulations for cannabis cooperatives, mandating that all members be at least twenty-one years old, while allowing designated providers for qualifying patients under that age to participate. It requires that all plants grown in the cooperative originate from licensed cannabis producers and mandates registration of the cooperative's location with the state liquor and cannabis board. The bill also outlines specific restrictions on cooperative locations, prohibiting them from being near cannabis retailers or certain facilities, and establishes rules regarding plant growth, nonmonetary assistance, and the prohibition of selling cannabis to non-participants. The state liquor and cannabis board is granted authority to adopt rules for security and compliance inspections.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 69.50.331, 69.51A.250