A bill to establish Washington’s first legal framework for regulating the processing and retail sale of kratom products was heard in committee last week.

HB 2291, sponsored by Rep. Kristine Reeves (D–Federal Way), would create new statewide restrictions on kratom, a currently unregulated product of plants native to southeast Asia, under the authority of the state Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB).

Key provisions of the bill:

• Restricting kratom purchases to people age 21 and over;
• Requiring licenses for processing and selling kratom;
• Setting a 11% tax on all sales; and
• Limiting the amount of synthetic additives in any product.

Under the bill, local law enforcement could aid in LCB-led actions to ensure the law is being followed.

Several Washington cities have already enacted prohibitions against kratom sales, but the version of HB 2291 heard by the committee would preempt any other local restrictions. AWC testified at the hearing that cities should maintain their authority to prohibit kratom sales and is working with the bill sponsor to improve the proposal.

We are monitoring two similar bills covering kratom tax and usage in the Senate, SB 6196 and SB 6287, which are both scheduled for Senate Labor & Commerce Committee votes on Tuesday, February 3, at 10:30 am. The Senate bills would impose a 95% tax and would not preempt local authority to set additional restrictions.

Dates to remember

HB 2291 is scheduled for a vote in the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee on Wednesday, February 4.