Interstate Cannabis Trade Green-Lighted By Washington State Senate, Now They Wait Federal Legalization

The Washington State Senate approved a measure that would allow cannabis companies to negotiate interstate agreements.

Bill SB 5069, which passed the chamber in a 40-8 vote “would give the governor the authority to enter into agreements with other legal states to permit imports and exports between licensed marijuana companies,” reported Marijuana Moment.

Washington State Is More Than Ready

Sen. Ann Rivers (R), one of the bill’s sponsors, said the state has taken solid steps "to make sure that the product produced here is labeled well and is tested and has the highest quality." She added that federal-level legalization is around the corner.

However, she said the WA industry “could be left in the dust if we’re out of town and unable to take action (...) So we can entrust our governor to look out for this industry and make sure that business can flow from our state to other states and back to us in a legal way, in a safe way, and in a way that can be enforced.”

About The Bill

Under the legislation, imported cannabis goods would have to fulfill Washington regulations, including those related to testing, packaging and labeling and they must adapt to the Department of Health and the Liquor & Cannabis board rules.

The measure would take effect if Federal law is amended to allow for the interstate transfer of cannabis between authorized cannabis-related businesses or the US Justice Department issues an opinion or memorandum allowing or tolerating the interstate transfer of cannabis between authorized cannabis-related businesses, according to the bill.

A separate bill HB 1159, sponsored by Sen. Sharon Wylie (D), was recently approved by state legislators and would also enact interstate marijuana trade depending on a policy change at the federal level.

In related news, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) determined in October that the import or export of cannabis-related paraphernalia to or from states where cannabis is legal represents an exception to the federal ban imposed by the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

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Image By El Planteo