(1) A medical cannabis endorsement to a cannabis retail license is hereby established to permit a cannabis retailer to sell cannabis for medical use to qualifying patients and designated providers. This endorsement also permits such retailers to provide cannabis at no charge, at their discretion, to qualifying patients and designated providers.

(2) An applicant may apply for a medical cannabis endorsement concurrently with an application for a cannabis retail license.

(3) To be issued an endorsement, a cannabis retailer must:

(a) Not authorize the medical use of cannabis for qualifying patients at the retail outlet or permit health care professionals to authorize the medical use of cannabis for qualifying patients at the retail outlet;

(b) Carry cannabis concentrates and cannabis-infused products identified by the department under subsection (4) of this section;

(c) Not use labels or market cannabis concentrates, useable cannabis, or cannabis-infused products in a way that make them intentionally attractive to minors;

(d) Demonstrate the ability to enter qualifying patients and designated providers in the medical cannabis authorization database established in RCW 69.51A.230 and issue recognition cards and agree to enter qualifying patients and designated providers into the database and issue recognition cards in compliance with department standards;

(e) Keep copies of the qualifying patient’s or designated provider’s recognition card, or keep equivalent records as required by rule of the board or the department of revenue to document the validity of tax exempt sales; and

(f) Meet other requirements as adopted by rule of the department or the board.

(4) The department, in conjunction with the board, must adopt rules on requirements for cannabis concentrates, useable cannabis, and cannabis-infused products that may be sold, or provided at no charge, to qualifying patients or designated providers at a retail outlet holding a medical cannabis endorsement. These rules must include:

(a) THC concentration, CBD concentration, or low THC, high CBD ratios appropriate for cannabis concentrates, useable cannabis, or cannabis-infused products sold to qualifying patients or designated providers;

(b) Labeling requirements including that the labels attached to cannabis concentrates, useable cannabis, or cannabis-infused products contain THC concentration, CBD concentration, and THC to CBD ratios;

(c) Other product requirements, including any additional mold, fungus, or pesticide testing requirements, or limitations to the types of solvents that may be used in cannabis processing that the department deems necessary to address the medical needs of qualifying patients;

(d) Safe handling requirements for cannabis concentrates, useable cannabis, or cannabis-infused products; and

(e) Training requirements for employees.

(5) A cannabis retailer holding an endorsement to sell cannabis to qualifying patients or designated providers must train its employees on:

(a) Procedures regarding the recognition of valid authorizations and the use of equipment to enter qualifying patients and designated providers into the medical cannabis authorization database;

(b) Recognition of valid recognition cards; and

(c) Recognition of strains, varieties, THC concentration, CBD concentration, and THC to CBD ratios of cannabis concentrates, useable cannabis, and cannabis-infused products, available for sale when assisting qualifying patients and designated providers at the retail outlet.

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

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