The 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. Additionally, the bill clarifies that cannabis is considered an agricultural product for the purposes of these cooperatives, aligning it with other agricultural products. The amendments also include changes to the fees associated with 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, establishing a timeline for when a license may be forfeited if the retailer is not operational. It stipulates that no license can be forfeited within the first nine months of issuance and sets a maximum of 24 months for a retailer to become fully operational, with allowances for extensions under certain circumstances. The bill aims to enhance the regulatory framework for cannabis producers and retailers while ensuring that they can collaborate effectively through cooperatives.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 69.50.325, 69.50.335