Wash. Rev. Code § 69.50.357

Current through the 2024 Regular Session

Section 69.50.357 - Retail outlets-Rules

(1)

(a) Retail outlets may not sell products or services other than cannabis concentrates, useable cannabis, cannabis-infused products, or paraphernalia intended for the storage or use of cannabis concentrates, useable cannabis, or cannabis-infused products.

(b)

(i) Retail outlets may receive lockable boxes, intended for the secure storage of cannabis products and paraphernalia, and related literature as a donation from another person or entity, that is not a cannabis producer, processor, or retailer, for donation to their customers.

(ii) Retail outlets may donate the lockable boxes and provide the related literature to any person eligible to purchase cannabis products under subsection (2) of this section. Retail outlets may not use the donation of lockable boxes or literature as an incentive or as a condition of a recipient's purchase of a cannabis product or paraphernalia.

(iii) Retail outlets may also purchase and sell lockable boxes, provided that the sales price is not less than the cost of acquisition.

(2) Licensed cannabis retailers may not employ persons under twenty-one years of age or allow persons under twenty-one years of age to enter or remain on the premises of a retail outlet. However, qualifying patients between eighteen and twenty-one years of age with a recognition card may enter and remain on the premises of a retail outlet holding a medical cannabis endorsement and may purchase products for their personal medical use. Qualifying patients who are under the age of eighteen with a recognition card and who accompany their designated providers may enter and remain on the premises of a retail outlet holding a medical cannabis endorsement, but may not purchase products for their personal medical use.

(3)

(a) Licensed cannabis retailers must ensure that all employees are trained on the rules adopted to implement this chapter, identification of persons under the age of twenty-one, and other requirements adopted by the board to ensure that persons under the age of twenty-one are not permitted to enter or remain on the premises of a retail outlet.

(b) Licensed cannabis retailers with a medical cannabis endorsement must ensure that all employees are trained on the subjects required by (a) of this subsection as well as identification of authorizations and recognition cards. Employees must also be trained to permit qualifying patients who hold recognition cards and are between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one to enter the premises and purchase cannabis for their personal medical use and to permit qualifying patients who are under the age of eighteen with a recognition card to enter the premises if accompanied by their designated providers.

(4) Except for the purposes of disposal as authorized by the board, no licensed cannabis retailer or employee of a retail outlet may open or consume, or allow to be opened or consumed, any cannabis concentrates, useable cannabis, or cannabis-infused product on the outlet premises.

(5)

(a) By December 31, 2024, licensed cannabis retailers shall post a conspicuous notice at the point of sale in retail outlets with information about:

(i) The potential health risks and adverse health impacts that may be associated with the consumption of high THC cannabis;

(ii) the potentially much higher risks that may be present for younger persons under age 25 as well as for persons who have or are at risk for developing certain mental health conditions or psychotic disorders; and

(iii) where to find help in case of negative effects and resources for quitting or reducing cannabis consumption. The notice must be the same or substantially the same as the notice developed by the department of health under this subsection (5).

(b) The department of health shall develop the notice required under this section and make it available to licensed cannabis retailers. The notice must, at a minimum, identify the information specified in (a)(i) through (iii) of this subsection, and may include additional information.

(6) The board must fine a licensee one thousand dollars for each violation of any subsection of this section. Fines collected under this section must be deposited into the dedicated cannabis account created under RCW 69.50.530.

RCW 69.50.357

Amended by 2024 c 360,§ 4, eff. 6/6/2024.

Amended by 2022 c 16,§ 71, eff. 6/9/2022.

Amended by 2017 c 317,§ 13, eff. 7/23/2017.

Amended by 2017 c 131,§ 1, eff. 7/23/2017.

Amended by 2016 c 171,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2016.

Amended by 2015SP2 c 4,§ 203, eff. 7/1/2016.

Amended by 2015 c 70,§ 12, eff. 7/1/2016.

Amended by 2014 c 192,§ 4, eff. 6/12/2014.

Added by 2013 c 3§ 14 (Initiative Measure No. 502, approved November 6, 2012).

Finding-Intent- 2024 c 360: "The legislature finds that there is a growing body of research evidencing that consuming cannabis with high concentrations of THC may be harmful to some people, including younger persons and persons who have or are at risk for developing certain mental health conditions or psychotic disorders. Products like THC-infused vape oils, shatter, and dabs can contain close to 100 percent THC, and may carry risks not commonly associated with consumption of useable cannabis flower or other cannabis products with relatively lower THC concentrations. In the interest of public health, the legislature intends to review studies and consider increasing the minimum legal age of sale of high THC cannabis products to age 25, and the legislature intends to require caution notices, developed by the department of health, to be posted at the point of sale in cannabis retail outlets to raise awareness about possible health impacts and risks associated with high THC cannabis. The legislature further intends to implement and study health interventions, gather data, and ensure that new research, data, and information concerning the impacts of high THC cannabis continues to be incorporated into state policy." [2024 c 360 s 1.]

Intent- 2024 c 360: "The legislature intends to provide the department of health with recurring funding available each fiscal year, beginning in fiscal year 2025, to allow the department of health to issue requests for proposals and contract for targeted public health messages and social marketing campaigns directed toward individuals most likely to suffer negative impacts of high THC products including persons under 25 years of age and persons living with mental health challenges. Messages and media campaigns funded must include information about risks, comparative dosing of cannabis products, and resources for persons seeking support for quitting or decreasing their intake of tetrahydrocannabinol. The content of public health messages and social marketing campaigns must be developed in partnership with persons targeted by the messages and campaigns and in consultation with professionals proficient in public health communication and in cannabis research." [2024 c 360 s 2.]

Intent-Finding- 2022 c 16: See note following RCW 69.50.101.

Findings-Application- 2017 c 317: See notes following RCW 69.50.325.

Effective date- 2016 c 171: "This act takes effect July 1, 2016." [2016 c 171 s 2.]

Findings-Intent-Effective dates-2015 2nd sp.s. c 4: See notes following RCW 69.50.334.

Effective date- 2015 c 70 s s 12, 19, 20, 23-26, 31, 35, 40, and 49: "Sections 12, 19, 20, 23 through 26, 31, 35, 40, and 49 of this act take effect July 1, 2016." [2015 c 70 s 50.]

Short title-Findings-Intent-References to Washington state liquor control board-Draft legislation- 2015 c 70: See notes following RCW 66.08.012.

Intent- 2013 c 3 (Initiative Measure No. 502): See note following RCW 69.50.101.