What's New (January 12, 2026) 

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 President Trump's Executive Order "Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research," WACA distributed a press release marking the historic milestone in upholding a safe, regulated marketplace for cannabis that keeps products out of the hands of children. WACA's national partner, the American Trade Association of Cannabis and Hemp, published an infographic of the process ahead for rescheduling cannabis.

This week marks the beginning of the 2026 Legislative Session. As lawmakers gather in Olympia, WACA published its 2026 Legislative & Regulatory Agenda. An archive of past agendas may be found on our website. Each agenda is the result of an annual internal democratic process among WACA membership. In 2026, priorities include:

Legislative:

• Allow Employee Stock Ownership Plans in Cannabis Businesses (ESOP) - HB 1348

• Fully Fund Lab Accreditation Program
• Update Regulations Regarding Product Testing
• Freeze Dormant Producer Licenses - HB 1410
• Support Current Framework of Legal Marketplace
• Maintain Buffers for Retail Licenses
• Enforce Ban on Hemp-Derived THC Products
• Create a Special Event License
• Alignment of Business-to-Business Transaction Regulations with Peer Regulated Industries
• Reform Transaction Limits in Statute
• Support Responsible Cannabis Tax Reform (oppose HB 2433)

Regulatory Agenda:

• Maintain Consistent Labeling Standards
  
• Improve Safe, Efficient Transportation of Products Within Regulated Marketplace

As an addendum, the 2026 Legislative & Regulatory Agenda also includes policy principles adopted by WACA membership regarding a traceability system for the legal marketplace.

The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business published a deep dive into the state of the legal cannabis industry last month and featured WACA leadership sharing insights, including two board members. “'The failure rate among cannabis businesses has been pretty dramatic,' Vicki Christophersen, executive director of the Washington Cannabusiness Association (WACA), told the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business. 'It has been very turbulent.' We encourage you to read the whole thing!

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. 

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.