Washington: Three Marijuana Bills Scheduled for Committee Vote on April 1

The bills—House Bill 1551, House Bill 1141, and Senate Bill 5206—address several aspects of the state’s recreational cannabis program, including advertising, direct-to-consumer sales, and social equity business restrictions. All three measures have already been approved by their chamber of origin.

Senate Bill 5206, passed by the Senate past month by a vote of 39 to 9, would make adjustments to the state’s strict cannabis advertising rules. Currently, licensed cannabis retailers can only display two exterior signs. SB 5206 would increase this limit to four, allowing businesses greater visibility. If a sign is less than 1,200 square inches, it would not count as one of the four allowed signs. The new law would still impose strict size limits on the signs, ensuring they do not exceed 1,600 square inches each. It also preserves the state’s ban on advertising near schools, playgrounds, and other child-centered locations. Additionally, marketing strategies aimed at minors—including the use of mascots, cartoons, or promotions that could appeal to children—remain strictly prohibited. Violators of the advertising rules would face escalating penalties, starting with a $1,000 fine and potentially leading to license suspension for repeat offenses.

House Bill 1141, passed by the House on March 11 by a vote of 55 to 40, would establish collective bargaining rights for marijuana cultivators. The proposal would grant workers in marijuana cultivation and processing the right to unionize and engage in collective bargaining. The measure includes provisions for organizing labor unions, resolving disputes, and protecting employees’ rights to negotiate with employers. It specifies that workers involved in growing, harvesting, drying, and trimming marijuana on licensed farms are covered under the bill, while excluding managers and supervisors with decision-making authority. Under the proposed law, employers are prohibited from interfering with unionization efforts or attempting to influence employees’ choice of representatives. The Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) would oversee dispute mediation, including certifying bargaining representatives through elections. Employers would also be required to share relevant employee information with unions, such as contact details and employment terms.

House Bill 1551, which the House passed on March 5, 57 to 39, would extend the state’s social equity marijuana program to July 1, 2034. By December 1, 2025, the LCB must report to the Governor and Legislature, assessing public feedback, license issuance, grant distribution, demographic data, and barriers to success.

All three bills are scheduled for executive sessions in their respective committees on April 1, with the House committee meeting at 10:30am, and the Senate committee meeting at 1:30pm.