Washington Bill to Allow Marijuana Producer Cooperatives Set for Committee Vote Tuesday

A Washington state bill that would allow licensed marijuana producers to form agricultural cooperatives is scheduled for a committee vote tomorrow, January 20, in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources. The proposal, House Bill 1941, was filed in February 2025 by six Democratic lawmakers and is led by State Representative Melanie Morgan. The bill was referred to the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee shortly after its introduction and now faces its first scheduled vote.

If approved, the legislation would explicitly authorize licensed marijuana producers to organize and operate as agricultural cooperatives under state law, placing marijuana alongside other recognized agricultural products for cooperative purposes. Supporters say the change would allow smaller and mid-sized producers to collaborate on processing, marketing, and distribution, potentially improving efficiency and competitiveness within Washington’s regulated marijuana market.

Current law allows agricultural producers to form cooperatives, but marijuana has not been clearly defined as an eligible agricultural product in that framework. House Bill 1941 would resolve that by amending state statutes to treat marijuana like other farm products when produced by licensed growers, while keeping all existing licensing and regulatory requirements in place.

The bill does not alter marijuana licensing fees, possession limits, or retail sales rules. Instead, it focuses narrowly on cooperative authorization, outlining that any such associations must operate for the mutual benefit of their members and comply with longstanding cooperative governance standards, including limits on voting power and dividends.

The House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources is expected to vote on the measure during its January 20 meeting. If it advances, it will need to be approved by a second committee before it can be considered by the full House and then Senate.