This bill amends existing laws to authorize agricultural cooperatives specifically for licensed cannabis producers in Washington State. It modifies RCW 69.50.325 to allow licensed cannabis producers to form associations or cooperatives and engage in activities as outlined in RCW 24.34.010. The bill also clarifies that cannabis is considered an agricultural product for the purposes of these cooperatives, aligning it with other agricultural products. Additionally, it updates the application and annual renewal fees for cannabis producer, processor, and retailer licenses, maintaining the application fee at $250 and the annual renewal fee at $1,381.

Furthermore, the bill introduces specific provisions regarding the forfeiture of cannabis retailer licenses, stipulating that no license may be forfeited within the first nine months of issuance and establishing a maximum period of 24 months for a retailer to become fully operational. It also provides exceptions to this forfeiture process if the inability to open is due to actions taken by local jurisdictions, such as bans or zoning regulations. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the operational framework for cannabis producers and retailers while ensuring compliance with state regulations.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 69.50.325, 69.50.335