Proposed legislation limits advertising for cannabis and vapor products and increases fines for violators.

HB 2321, sponsored by Rep. Mari Leavitt (D–University Place), and companion SB 6333, sponsored by Sen. Jesse Salomon (D–Shoreline), seek to limit Washington’s youth exposure to advertisements for cannabis and vapor products. The bills require the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) to establish new rules to limit the appeal of advertising for these products.

In addition, the bills outline several new regulations, including:

• Billboards for cannabis and vapor products are banned in Washington state;
• Vapor retailers or no longer allowed to display any signage outside of their establishments that may be appealing to youth;
• No signage for vapor products may be placed within 1,000 feet of a school, playground, childcare facility, library, public park, recreation center, or arcade;
• The LCB may not issue a license to a vapor retailer, producer, or distributor for a location within 1,000 feet of a school, playground, childcare facility, library, public park, recreation center, or arcade; and
• All schools are required to prohibit vaping on their premises. Post-secondary education organizations may allow designated vaping areas on campus.

Dates to remember

HB 2321 is scheduled for a committee vote in the House Commerce & Gaming Committee at 3:30 pm on Tuesday, February 4.

SB 6333, is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee at 10 am on Monday, February 3.