We are proud to advocate on behalf of a legal, quality-controlled and well-regulated taxed cannabis marketplace that keeps products out of the hands of children. Following our annual democratic process among membership, we have published our 2025 Legislative and Regulatory Agenda. You may find it in full in our legislative archive, which also overviews our advocacy since 2015. In sum, our priorities include:

Key priorities in our legislative agenda continue to be heard in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business and Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce ahead of policy committee cutoff Friday February 21. These priorities include allowing for access to capital in the cannabis industry (HB 1346 / SB 5456), freezing dormant producer licenses so that local cannabis producers can remain viable (HB 1410) and allowing for employee stock ownership plans in our state's cannabis industry (HB 1348). You may learn more about these important policy efforts in our 2025 Legislative Agenda.

Cannabis policymaking continues to feature critical conversations, including the importance of keeping cannabis products out of the hands of kids. In Washington, licensed retailers have a 95% compliance rate, which means they are significantly more successful in blocking youth access than liquor and tobacco retailers. Ongoing academic research also reflects evidence that youth access is flat or declining in legal markets. We wish everyone a restful holiday season and look forward to the new year!

The emerging, regulated cannabis and hemp industries are still misunderstood by some. WACA works tirelessly to ensure its members acknowledge and embrace their responsibility to follow the law, earn public trust, and collaborate to strengthen the system that protects consumers and communities alike. As we reflect on the first 10 years of legalization and prepare for the next 10 years, we are proud to advocate on behalf of a regulated marketplace that directly employs 11,330 workers, supports 18,360 jobs in our state and in 2020 generated $660.8 million in state and local tax revenues for public services.

Interested in learning more about the economic impact of the legal cannabis marketplace in Washington? Please reach out to us to receive a copy of our Economic Impact Analysis commissioned by WACA in 2021 and conducted by Dr. Spencer Cohen of High Peak Strategy.