A Washington State Senate committee recently approved a bill to set the state up to allow interstate cannabis commerce, pending a federal policy change.
The Senate Labor & Commerce Committee passed the legislation on a voice vote. It now moves to the Senate Rules Committee. The action comes one week after the panel first met to discuss the reform, in addition to proposals concerning cannabis-related employment protections and social equity.
The House Regulated Substances & Gaming Committee was also scheduled to tackle a companion version of the interstate commerce bill, sponsored by that panel’s chair, but the meeting was canceled.
In the Senate, the legislation is being sponsored by Sen. Ann Rivers (R). It would give the governor of Washington authority to enter into agreements with other legal states to permit imports and exports between state-licensed cannabis businesses.
The committee chair, Sen. Karen Keiser (D), said that it was important to take “early action” on the legislation, especially given that it “seems to have pretty substantial support.”
Read more at marijuanamoment.net