An estimated 375 acres of hemp were grown in Washington state in 2022
On this page you will find Washington hemp law along with a history of how Washington hemp bills have progressed through the State capitol over the years. We also provide links to important information concerning Washington hemp programs and state agency advisories or opinion letters. Our goal is to keep the public, media and policy makers informed on each states status concerning hemp law and policy.
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2019
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) must develop an agricultural commodity program to replace the industrial hemp research pilot program, in accordance with the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. WSDA must develop the state’s hemp plan in consultation with the Governor and the attorney general and include the plan elements required in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.
Status: Signed by Gov. Inslee on April 26th
AN ACT Relating to hemp production; amending RCW 69.50.204; reenacting and amending RCW 69.50.101; adding a new section to chapter 15.120 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 15 RCW; repealing RCW 15.120.005, 15.120.010, 15.120.020, 15.120.030, 15.120.035, 15.120.040, 15.120.050, and 15.120.060; making an appropriation; providing an effective date; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.
2016
Relating to industrial hemp; amending RCW 69.50.204; 2 adding a new chapter to Title 15 RCW; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.
Relating to authorizing the growing of industrial hemp; 2 adding a new chapter to Title 15 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.
STATUS: Vetoed by Gov. Inslee on March 10th 2016. Veto overridden by the legislature on March 28th, 43-0 (Senate) and March 29th, 88-6 (House). Effective Date June 28, 2016.
2015
HB 1268
Relating to hemp as a component of commercial animal feed; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.
STATUS: Signed by Gov. Inslee on April 25th 2015
Legalizes industrial hemp and removes it from coverage under the state Controlled Substances Act. Designates industrial hemp as an agricultural product which may be grown, produced, possessed, and commercially traded. Establishes regulations designed to ensure that the THC content of industrial hemp grown in this state is consistent with international standards. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to issue licenses for the growing of industrial hemp and to regulate the industrial hemp industry. Creates standards and requirements that a grower must meet in order to be an industrial hemp grower. Imposes a fee on growers to cover regulatory costs. Creates an industrial hemp account in the State Treasury that is funded by licensing fees. Authorizes the Washington State University to undertake research regarding industrial hemp production.
Allows industrial hemp to be grown, produced, possessed, and commercially traded in the state. Does not create requirement for state licensing or regulation of the crop. Authorizes Washington State University to study the feasibility and desirability of industrial hemp production in the state.
2014
HB 1888
An Act Relating to industrial hemp; adding a new chapter to Title; creating a new section; and prescribing penalties.
An Act Relating to industrial hemp; and creating new sections. Requires Washington State University to study the feasibility and desirability of industrial hemp production in the state.
Permits the development of an industrial hemp industry and ensures that production of industrial hemp is in compliance with state law and federal guidelines. Authorizes Washington State University to undertake research of industrial hemp production in the state, after receiving a license to grow hemp from the director of the department of agriculture. Creates the industrial hemp account.
Requires the department of agriculture to establish a licensing program to allow persons to grow industrial hemp in this state. Requires Washington State University to study the feasibility and desirability of industrial hemp production in this state. Creates the industrial hemp account. Provides a contingent effective date for this act.
2013
SB 5222
An Act Relating to industrial hemp; and creating new sections. Requires Washington State University to study the feasibility and desirability of industrial hemp production in the state.
An Act Relating to industrial hemp; adding a new chapter to Title; creating a new section; and prescribing penalties.
Correcting the definition of THC concentration as adopted by Initiative Measure No. 502 to avoid an implication that conversion, by combustion, of tetrahydrocannabinol acid into delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol is not part of the THC content that differentiates marijuana from hemp.
2012
Initiative Measure No. 502
Relating to marijuana; amending RCW 69.50.101, 69.50.401, 69.50.4013, 69.50.412, 69.50.4121, 69.50.500, 46.20.308, 46.61.502, 46.61.504, 46.61.50571, and 46.61.506; reenacting and amending RCW 69.50.505, 46.20.3101, and 46.61.503; adding a new section to chapter 46.04 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 69.50 RCW; creating new sections; and prescribing penalties.
Initiatve 502 defined marijuana to exclude Cannabis of 0.3% THC or less so it is no longer a controlled substance under state law.
STATUS: Initiative 502 was passed by the voters on 11/6/2012
Download the text of Washington State Initiative 502 as presented to voters (PDF file 324k)
Washington State Liquor Control Board I-502 FAQs (PDF file)
New Approach Washington Backgrounder – I-502 and Industrial Hemp (PDF file 324k)
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