Rules team outlines timetable for cannabis rule changes, posts draft implementing SB 5403

Kevin, representing the policy and rules team, told the caucus Aug. 4 that the rules team is managing 10 open rule projects and has posted updated draft rules implementing "engrossed substitute senate bill 5403," with a comment window through the end of the month.

Kevin said the rules team encouraged coordinated stakeholder submissions to reduce duplicate comments and that, following the comment period, staff will finalize drafts and move to the CR102 proposal phase, which requires a small-business economic impact analysis the team expects will take "2 to 3 months." He also reported nine cannabis-related petitions have been received since the last meeting and that several appear substantially similar; staff plans to present recommendations on those petitions at next month's meeting.

The rules update covered other active workstreams: drafting rules to implement "engrossed house bill 1941" on agricultural cannabis cooperatives (with stakeholder sessions scheduled), resuming work on cannabis R&D testing and batch tracking rulemaking once capacity frees up, and four petition-driven projects including heavy-metals testing, harvest dates on labels, certificate-of-analysis expiration, and cannabis transportation.

Kevin noted the timing of some items depends on next year's legislative session priorities and that staff will try to sequence projects to make "significant headway" in early 2027. He also announced a hybrid public hearing Aug. 12 for proposed rules on leasing liquor premises.

The update sets expectations for stakeholders on comment windows, upcoming stakeholder sessions and the sequence of filings and adoptions through late 2026.