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Senate committee hears split-over-liquor-and-cannabis proposal as industry and public-health groups clash
Summary
The Washington Senate Labor & Commerce Committee held public testimony on SB 6290, a bill to separate liquor and cannabis governance; proponents urged a clearer, more accountable agency structure while opponents warned of governance disruption and added costs. The public hearing concluded with the committee moving to executive session; no final vote on the bill was recorded.
The Washington State Senate Labor & Commerce Committee heard extensive public testimony on Senate Bill 6290, a proposal to separate oversight of liquor and cannabis by restructuring the Liquor and Cannabis Board.
Supporters, including Caitlin Ryan, executive director of the Cannabis Alliance, told the committee the current combined structure has become a bottleneck that slows decision-making and produces inconsistent enforcement. "The current structure diffuses responsibility, slows decision making, and turns the agency into a bottleneck rather than a facilitator of public policy," Ryan said, urging a single accountable executive director and clearer divisions for cannabis, liquor, vapor and tobacco products.
Sean DeWitts, representing the Washington Hospitality Association, said the proposal would free committees and agency staff to…
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