The bill amends various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to enhance the regulatory framework surrounding cannabis. It introduces new definitions for cannabis products, including "cannabis edibles in liquid form," "cannabis edibles in solid form," "cannabis flower," "cannabis processor," "cannabis producer," "cannabis retailer," "cannabis topical," and "cannabis trim," which aim to provide clarity on the types of cannabis-infused products available. Additionally, the bill updates the THC concentration limits for cannabis concentrates and cannabis-infused products to a maximum of 10 percent. It also modifies the age limit for "youth access" to vapor products to 21 years and introduces the term "preroll" for a specific cannabis product.

Moreover, the bill emphasizes the promotion of social equity within the cannabis industry by requiring cannabis licensees to develop a "social equity plan" that outlines their strategies for fostering equity in their communities, including workforce composition and partnerships with organizations linked to populations historically affected by cannabis prohibition. It restructures the cannabis excise tax from a flat rate to a tiered system based on product weight and type, and modifies licensing requirements for cannabis producers, processors, and retailers. The bill also establishes a forfeiture process for non-operational cannabis retailer licenses while ensuring that local government actions do not lead to license forfeiture. The changes are set to take effect on June 30, 2027, with certain sections expiring on that date.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 69.50.101, 69.50.535, 69.50.325