The bill amends Washington State's cannabis licensing laws to enhance local control and compliance with zoning ordinances. It prohibits the liquor and cannabis board from issuing new or renewed cannabis licenses in areas where local authorities have submitted written objections based on zoning restrictions. Additionally, the board must consider local authorities' written statements regarding the permissibility of cannabis-related activities on specific properties. The bill also allows the board to delegate authority to staff for approving uncontested licenses and emphasizes the importance of local objections related to illegal activities, broadening the definition of "illegal activity" to include various public safety concerns. Furthermore, it encourages cannabis licensees to submit social equity plans, offering reimbursement for their annual license renewal fees upon submission.

In addition to licensing regulations, the bill establishes guidelines for cannabis cooperatives, requiring all members to be at least twenty-one years old, with provisions for designated providers for qualifying patients under twenty-one. It mandates that all plants grown in the cooperative must come from licensed producers and requires registration with the state liquor and cannabis board, including member names and recognition cards. The bill sets operational limits, capping the number of plants at sixty and possession at seventy-two ounces, while restricting participants to one cooperative and requiring nonmonetary assistance in plant cultivation. Cooperatives must be located at a participant's domicile, with only one allowed per property tax parcel, and the state liquor and cannabis board is tasked with creating rules for security, traceability, and inspections to ensure compliance.

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