"You can look at liquor and say: How many people make moonshine in Washington? And when was the last time somebody got shot over bootleg alcohol in Washington? It's been a long time."
Rep. Chris Hurst,D-Enumclaw,arguing that the state can squelch the black market in marijuana by properly implementing legalization, similar to what happened after the end of alcohol Prohibition. Federal officials are reportedly considering whether to sue to halt legalization.
NOTEWORTHY
Another proposal to generate state revenue from the legalization of marijuana emerged Tuesday. Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Anacortes, introduced House Bill 1976 to allow pot growers to register their names for different strains of marijuana. It would tax “all trademarks, trade names, brand names, patents and copyrights that are related to marijuana,” with the tax set at $3.60 per $1,000 of assessed value. State officials would have to write rules determining how to establish the name’s value. The revenue would go to agricultural research intended to benefit health.
TODAY IN THE LEGISLATURE
The Senate and House will hold floor sessions starting at 9 and 10 a.m., respectively. Both chambers will break for caucus and are likely to hold additional sessions in the afternoon or evening.
A bill promising to reduce criminal justice expenses by eliminating the death penalty in favor of life incarceration will receive a public hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee. Rep. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, is House Bill 1504’s primary sponsor. The hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. in Hearing Room A in the John L. O’Brien Building.
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee will hold a joint meeting with the Technology and Economic Development Committee at 8 a.m. The committees will hear public testimony on Initiative 522, a proposal that would require retail food that has been produced with genetic engineering to be labeled accordingly. The hearing is scheduled for Hearing Room B in the John L. O’Brien Building.
THURSDAY IN THE LEGISLATURE
Lawmakers on the House Education Committee will hold an 8 a.m. work session on skill centers. The committee is scheduled to meet in Hearing Room A in the John L. O’Brien Building.
The House Early Learning and Human Services Committee will discuss supported living during its 9 a.m. work session. The meeting is scheduled for Hearing Room C in the John L. O’Brien Building.
The Washington State Hospital Association will give an update on patient safety to the House Health Care and Wellness Committee during the committee’s 9 a.m. work session. The meeting is scheduled for Hearing Room B of the John L. O’Brien Building.
ELSEWHERE ON CAMPUS
Today’s Independent Living Rally is sponsored by The Arc of Washington State. The group will gather in the Columbia Room of the Legislative Building from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Estimated attendance is 400. Arc focuses on advocating for the rights and full participation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Staff report
