Washington Legislature Approves High-THC Marijuana Legislation

Legislation designed to address the growing prevenance of what lawmakers call “high-THC cannabis” has been passed through Washington’s full Legislature.

Live resin, a form of marijuana concentrate that often has over 90% THC.

Washington’s Senate voted 47 to 1 yesterday to pass House Bill 2320. The measure passed the House of Representatives last month in a 92 to 5 vote, but it will need to go back for one final vote before it can be sent to Governor Jay Inslee given it was amended slightly.

According to its official legislative summary, the measure “Requires the Department of Health (DOH) to develop optional training for retail cannabis staff as well as a notice that cannabis retailers must conspicuously post at the point of sale for consumers, related to possible health risks and impacts of high-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis and available resources.”

The measure also “Provides Legislative intent to provide DOH funding to provide public health messaging and social media campaigns”, and it “Requires the University of Washington Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute to develop and implement guidance and health interventions for health care providers, certain patients, and for other uses, with reports and subject to funding.”

As filed, the measure would have placed a ban on the sale of marijuana concentrates with over 35% THC to anyone under 25 years old. The measure was amended through the House committee process to instead be about education and training.

Washington’s Legislature also recently passed a bill to alter the possession limit for marijuana-infused liquids.

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