The bill amends RCW 69.50.325 to update the licensing fees for cannabis producers, processors, and retailers in Washington State. The application fee for each type of license remains at $250, while the annual fee for issuance and renewal is set at $1,781. The bill specifies that a separate license is required for each location where cannabis is produced, processed, or sold. Additionally, it establishes limitations on the number of retail cannabis licenses that an individual or entity can hold, capping the total at five licenses and prohibiting certain management agreements that could create financial interests across multiple licenses.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new provision that mandates the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board to adjust the annual licensing fees based on the change in the consumer price index starting July 1, 2027. This adjustment will ensure that the fees keep pace with inflation, as measured by the consumer price index for all urban consumers in the Seattle area. The bill also outlines a process for license forfeiture for retailers that are not fully operational within a specified timeframe, while providing protections against forfeiture due to local government actions that may hinder the establishment of a retail cannabis business.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 69.50.325