The Washington Senate has passed Senate Bill 5206 in a 39 to 9 vote, advancing the measure to the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee for further consideration.
Sponsored by Senators Drew MacEwen (R), Chris Gildon (R), and Derek Stanford (D), the legislation would modify the state’s marijuana advertising regulations by allowing licensed retailers to display up to four exterior signs, an increase from the current limit of two. These signs must be attached to the building or placed in windows, with each restricted to 1,600 square inches. Smaller, non-branded signs under 512 square inches—such as those indicating store hours or ATM availability—would be exempt from advertising regulations.
The bill maintains strict prohibitions on marijuana advertising near schools, parks, playgrounds, and similar locations. It also bans advertisements featuring alcohol, tobacco, motor vehicles, and transit ads placed in or around public transportation facilities. Additionally, it prohibits marketing aimed at minors, including the use of mascots or cartoon imagery.
SB 5206 includes escalating penalties for violations, starting with a $1,000 fine and potentially leading to license suspension or revocation.
With Senate approval secured, the bill now moves to the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee for further deliberation.
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