A number of years in the past, those that raised issues concerning the psychological well being results of high-potency hashish have been largely ignored within the legislature.
Now, many lawmakers admit the state is grappling with an actual drawback. But motion stays maddeningly elusive.
A Home invoice authored by Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline, would have raised the minimal age from 21 to 25 to buy merchandise with THC concentrations larger than 35%. Late. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline, sponsored an analogous measure for Senate consideration.
The Home Managed Substances & Gaming Committee handed an amended model of Davis’ HB 2320 – however eliminated the age minimal. As an alternative, the weakened laws requires hashish retailers to put up an indication warning that top THC merchandise can enhance the danger of psychotic issues.
Within the Senate, the Labor & Commerce Committee handed Salomon’s model, which included the age restrict however directed the state Liquor and Hashish Board to outline excessive THC concentrations. It was progress and gave hope to well being advocates that this might be the 12 months that one thing— something – can occur on excessive efficiency hashish.
The invoice died within the Senate Methods & Means Committee when the chair, Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, refused to permit it to maneuver ahead. Requested how Robinson made his choice, a spokesman mentioned: “The committee knew that the housemate (HB 2320) was transferring.”
However wherein course? Lawmakers in each chambers nonetheless have time to do one thing vital, however the window is closing.
Senate Invoice 6271 takes a distinct path. Backed by representatives of the hashish trade, it could require the LCB to give you suggestions to impose a graduated tax on high-potency hashish merchandise whereas reducing different hashish taxes. The plan is anticipated in 2026.
It handed the Senate 44-5. A listening to within the Home Committee on Regulated Substances & Playing is scheduled for February 14.
It is price emphasizing: SB 6271 doesn’t require any actions, though a 2020 College of Washington examine included a consensus assertion that high-potency hashish use will increase the danger of dependancy and will increase the probability of creating psychotic issues akin to schizophrenia.
Final month, the Nationwide Convention of State Legislatures compiled an outline of state legal guidelines on high-potency hashish by 2023. Here is what it discovered:
• 10 states limit the acquisition or possession of THC merchandise by quantity or share – however not Washington.
• Eight states restrict the power of THC by product or class — however not Washington.
• Six states adopted insurance policies associated to high-strength merchandise — however not Washington.
• Two states tax hashish merchandise by THC power – however not Washington.
Lawmakers involved that regulating hashish would solely shift manufacturing to the unlawful market ought to learn the research commissioned by the Legislature.
A Washington State Well being Care Authority report on excessive THC coverage famous that measures akin to implementing larger taxes could be helpful to Washingtonians: “Whereas there’ll all the time be a bootleg market, as is the case with tobacco and alcohol, the online good thing about such measures could be constructive, particularly in lowering hashish initiation and lowering frequency of use of excessive THC merchandise amongst customers who typically want a authorized market.”
Taking extra time and ordering extra research underscores that lawmakers are extra involved concerning the hashish trade than younger individuals’s psychological well being. There couldn’t be a extra damning verdict on who is actually in cost at Olympia.