RCW 43.21A.735 Cannabis science task force. (Expires December 31, 2022.)

(1)(a) The cannabis science task force is established with members as provided in this subsection.

(i) The directors, or the directors' appointees, of the departments of agriculture, health, ecology, and the liquor and cannabis board must each serve as members on the task force.

(ii) A majority of the four agency task force members will select additional members, as follows:

(A) Representatives with expertise in chemistry, microbiology, toxicology, public health, and/or food and agricultural testing methods from state and local agencies and tribal governments; and

(B) Nongovernmental cannabis industry scientists.

(b) The director or the director's designee from the department of ecology must serve as chair of the task force.

(2)(a) The cannabis science task force must:

(i) Collaborate on the development of appropriate laboratory quality standards for marijuana product testing laboratories;

(ii) Establish two work groups:

(A) A proficiency testing program work group to be led by the department; and

(B) A laboratory quality standards work group to be led by the department of agriculture. At a minimum this work group will address appropriate approved testing methods, method validation protocols, and method performance criteria.

(b) The cannabis science task force may reorganize the work groups or create additional work groups as necessary.

(3) Staff support for the cannabis science task force must be provided by the department.

(4) Reimbursement for members is subject to chapter 43.03 RCW.

(5) Expenses of the cannabis science task force must be paid by the department.

(6) The cannabis science task force must submit a report to the relevant committees of the legislature by July 1, 2020, that includes the findings and recommendations for laboratory quality standards for pesticides in plants for marijuana product testing laboratories. The report must include, but is not limited to, recommendations relating to the following:

(a) Appropriate approved testing methods;

(b) Method validation protocols;

(c) Method performance criteria;

(d) Sampling and homogenization protocols;

(e) Proficiency testing; and

(f) Regulatory updates related to (a) through (e) of this subsection, by which agencies, and the timing of these updates.

(7) To the fullest extent possible, the task force must consult with other jurisdictions that have established, or are establishing, marijuana product testing programs.

(8) Following development of findings and recommendations for laboratory quality standards for pesticides in plants for marijuana product testing laboratories, the task force must develop findings and recommendations for additional laboratory quality standards, including, but not limited to, heavy metals in and potency of marijuana products.

(a) The cannabis science task force must submit a report on the findings and recommendations for these additional standards to the relevant committees of the legislature by December 1, 2021.

(b) The report must include recommendations pertaining to the items listed in subsection (6)(a) through (f) of this section.

(9) The task force must hold its first meeting by September 1, 2019.

(10) This section expires December 31, 2022.

[ 2019 c 277 § 3.]