The bill seeks to enhance access to medical cannabis in Washington State by amending various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) related to cannabis licensing and the medical cannabis authorization database. It introduces a medical cannabis endorsement for cannabis retailers and processors, enabling them to sell compliant products to qualifying patients and designated providers. The bill mandates that these licensees must not authorize medical use on-site and must ensure their employees are trained to recognize valid authorizations and understand cannabis product details. Additionally, it establishes a secure medical cannabis authorization database for tracking patient authorizations, which will allow retailers, processors, and healthcare professionals to manage patient information while ensuring law enforcement can verify recognition cards during investigations.

Moreover, the legislation emphasizes the confidentiality of personally identifiable information within the medical cannabis authorization database, exempting it from public disclosure while permitting the release of aggregate data for statistical purposes. It prohibits sharing information with federal authorities unless a qualifying patient or designated provider is convicted of violating state cannabis laws. The bill also introduces a nominal fee for recognition cards and establishes a medical cannabis consultant certificate, detailing the authority of the department's secretary to oversee training programs and background checks. It clarifies the scope of services that certified consultants can provide and allows qualifying patients and designated providers to purchase immature plants, cannabis seeds, and compliant products from licensed producers and processors.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 69.50.325, 69.50.335, 69.51A.230, 69.51A.290, 69.51A.310