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 maintains the requirement that these associations must operate for the mutual benefit of their members and adhere to specific operational guidelines.

Furthermore, the bill updates the application and annual renewal fees for cannabis producer, processor, and retailer licenses, standardizing the application fee to $250 and the annual renewal fee to $1,381. It also introduces a new provision regarding the forfeiture of cannabis retailer licenses, specifying that licenses cannot be forfeited within the first nine months of issuance and must be forfeited within 24 months if the retailer is not operational, unless extenuating circumstances are determined by the board. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the regulatory framework for cannabis producers and facilitate their collaboration through cooperatives.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 69.50.325, 69.50.335