Washington House Committee Schedules February 21 Public Hearing on Bill to Legalize Cannabis Consumption Sites

OG Article

02-14-2025

Anthony Martinelli

The bill, introduced by a bipartisan group of 11 lawmakers, seeks to create a regulatory framework for cannabis consumption spaces, allowing adults 21 and over to legally purchase and consume marijuana in designated areas.

Filed by State Representatives Morgan, Waters, Donaghy, Reeves, Walen, Hill, Reed, Fitzgibbon, Simmons, Ormsby, and Scott, the bill addresses a longstanding issue for consumers who may legally buy marijuana but lack legal spaces to use it outside their private residences. Supporters argue that many individuals live in housing situations where marijuana use is prohibited, making legal consumption sites an important step toward full implementation of the state’s marijuana laws.HB 1932 would establish a cannabis consumption event organizer license, enabling licensed businesses to host marijuana consumption events in approved locations. Under the bill, these events could include sales of single-use cannabis products and ready-to-consume marijuana items, with consumption allowed through smoking, vaporization, or ingestion in designated areas. The proposal sets strict regulatory requirements, including security protocols, employee training, and air quality standards for indoor consumption areas.

If passed, Washington would join several other states that have legalized social marijuana consumption in regulated settings, following the lead of states like Nevada and Colorado.