(1) A marijuana research license is established that permits a licensee to produce, process, and possess marijuana for the following limited research purposes:
(a) To test chemical potency and composition levels;
(b) To conduct clinical investigations of marijuana-derived drug products;
(c) To conduct research on the efficacy and safety of administering marijuana as part of medical treatment; and
(d) To conduct genomic or agricultural research.
(2) As part of the application process for a marijuana research license, an applicant must submit to the liquor and cannabis board's designated scientific reviewer a description of the research that is intended to be conducted. The liquor and cannabis board must select a scientific reviewer to review an applicant's research project and determine that it meets the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, as well as assess the following:
(a) Project quality, study design, value, or impact;
(b) Whether applicants have the appropriate personnel, expertise, facilities/infrastructure, funding, and human/animal/other federal approvals in place to successfully conduct the project; and
(c) Whether the amount of marijuana to be grown by the applicant is consistent with the project's scope and goals.
If the scientific reviewer determines that the research project does not meet the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, the application must be denied.
(3) A marijuana research licensee may only sell marijuana grown or within its operation to other marijuana research licensees. The liquor and cannabis board may revoke a marijuana research license for violations of this subsection.
(4) A marijuana research licensee may contract with the University of Washington or Washington State University to perform research in conjunction with the university. All research projects, not including those projects conducted pursuant to a contract entered into under RCW 28B.20.502(3), must be approved by the scientific reviewer and meet the requirements of subsection (1) of this section.
(5) In establishing a marijuana research license, the liquor and cannabis board may adopt rules on the following:
(a) Application requirements;
(b) Marijuana research license renewal requirements, including whether additional research projects may be added or considered;
(c) Conditions for license revocation;
(d) Security measures to ensure marijuana is not diverted to purposes other than research;
(e) Amount of plants, useable marijuana, marijuana concentrates, or marijuana-infused products a licensee may have on its premises;
(f) Licensee reporting requirements;
(g) Conditions under which marijuana grown by licensed marijuana producers and other product types from licensed marijuana processors may be donated to marijuana research licensees; and
(h) Additional requirements deemed necessary by the liquor and cannabis board.
(6) The production, processing, possession, delivery, donation, and sale of marijuana, including immature plants or clones and seeds, in accordance with this section, RCW 69.50.366(3), and the rules adopted to implement and enforce this section and RCW 69.50.366(3), by a validly licensed marijuana researcher, shall not be a criminal or civil offense under Washington state law. Every marijuana research license must be issued in the name of the applicant, must specify the location at which the marijuana researcher intends to operate, which must be within the state of Washington, and the holder thereof may not allow any other person to use the license.
(7) The application fee for a marijuana research license is two hundred fifty dollars. The annual fee for issuance and renewal of a marijuana research license is one thousand three hundred dollars. The applicant must pay the cost of the review process directly to the scientific reviewer as designated by the liquor and cannabis board.
(8) The scientific reviewer shall review any reports made by marijuana research licensees under liquor and cannabis board rule and provide the liquor and cannabis board with its determination on whether the research project continues to meet research qualifications under this section.
(9) For the purposes of this section, "scientific reviewer" means an organization that convenes or contracts with persons who have the training and experience in research practice and research methodology to determine whether a project meets the criteria for a marijuana research license under this section and to review any reports submitted by marijuana research licensees under liquor and cannabis board rule. "Scientific reviewers" include, but are not limited to, educational institutions, research institutions, peer review bodies, or such other organizations that are focused on science or research in its day-to-day activities.
[ 2017 c 317 § 3; 2017 c 316 § 3; 2016 sp.s. c 9 § 1; 2015 2nd sp.s. c 4 § 1501; 2015 c 71 § 1.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2017 c 316 § 3 and by 2017 c 317 § 3, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).
Findings—Application—2017 c 317: See notes following RCW 69.50.325.
Effective date—2017 c 316: See note following RCW 69.50.325.
Findings—Intent—Effective dates—2015 2nd sp.s. c 4: See notes following RCW 69.50.334.