Bill > HB1341

This bill amends the existing law regarding the medical cannabis authorization database to allow the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board to verify excise tax exemptions through the database. The database, maintained by a contracted entity, serves multiple purposes including allowing cannabis retailers with a medical cannabis endorsement to add qualifying patients, enabling healthcare professionals to access patient information, and permitting law enforcement to confirm the validity of patient recognition cards. The bill maintains the existing confidentiality protections for patient information, ensuring that personally identifiable data remains private and exempt from public disclosure. The database includes specific security requirements, such as making personally identifiable information non-reversible and incorporating best privacy practices. Patients receive a recognition card with unique identifiers, including a photo, authorization details, and expiration date, which is valid for one year for adults and six months for minors. The database administrator must remove patients from the database upon card expiration and retain records for at least five calendar years to allow tax exemption verification. A one-dollar fee is charged for each initial and renewal recognition card, with collected fees deposited into the dedicated cannabis account. The bill also provides mechanisms for oversight, including potential fines and contract cancellation if the database administrator fails to comply with the established requirements.

Business and Industry

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1341&Year=2025&Initiative=false