Washington House Committee Approves Bill to Allow Licensed Marijuana Consumption Events

A bipartisan proposal that would create a legal pathway for adults to consume marijuana in regulated, licensed environments was given approval today by the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business. The vote was 11 to 4. House Bill 1932 would authorize a new “cannabis consumption event organizer” license, allowing approved entities to host events where those 21 and older could legally purchase and consume single-use and ready-to-consume marijuana products on-site in designated areas approved by the Liquor and Cannabis Board. The legislation was introduced in February 2025 by a bipartisan group of 11 lawmakers.

Despite recreational marijuana being legalized in Washington in 2012, tying Colorado as the first state to do so, many residents have no lawful place to consume it due to housing rules, rental agreements, or other restrictions. Lawmakers say this creates a gap in the system envisioned by Initiative 502 and pushes some consumption into unregulated settings.

Under the proposal, licensed organizers could hold up to one event per month, each lasting up to three days, subject to local approval, strict security plans, age verification, ventilation requirements for any indoor use, and detailed rules governing what products can be sold and how they can be consumed. Alcohol and tobacco sales would be prohibited at these events, and products purchased on-site could not be removed from the premises.

The measure also establishes a new budtender permit requirement for workers involved in sales or service at these events, mandates employee training on overconsumption and impairment, and requires organizers to submit plans to prevent impaired driving and protect worker safety.

The proposal will now need to be approved through a second committee before it can be considered by the full House of Representatives.