Wash. Admin. Code § 314-55-077 - Cannabis processor license-Privileges, requirements, and fees

(1) A cannabis processor license allows the licensee to process, dry, cure, package, and label useable cannabis, cannabis concentrates, and cannabis-infused products for sale at wholesale to cannabis processors and cannabis retailers.

(2) Application and license fees.

(a) The application fee for a cannabis processor license is $250. The applicant is also responsible for paying the fees required by the approved vendor for fingerprint evaluation.

(b) The annual fee for issuance and renewal of a cannabis processor license is $1,381. The board will conduct random criminal history checks at the time of renewal that will require the licensee to submit fingerprints for evaluation from the approved vendor. The licensee is responsible for all fees required for the criminal history checks.

(c) The application window for cannabis processor licenses is closed. The board may reopen the cannabis processor application window at subsequent times when the board deems necessary.

(3) Any entity and/or principals within any entity are limited to no more than three cannabis processor licenses.

(4)

(a) A cannabis processor that makes cannabis-infused solid or liquid product meant to be ingested orally ( cannabis edibles) must obtain a cannabis-infused edible endorsement from the department of agriculture as required under chapter 15.125 RCW and rules adopted by the department to implement that chapter (chapter 16-131 WAC). A licensee must allow the board or their designee to conduct physical visits and inspect the processing facility, recipes, and records required under WAC 314-55-087 during normal business hours or at any time of apparent operation without advance notice.

(b) A cannabis processor licensed by the board must ensure cannabis-infused edible processing facilities are constructed, kept, and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition in accordance with rules and as prescribed by the Washington state department of agriculture under chapter 15.125 RCW and rules promulgated to implement chapters 16-131, 16-165 and 16-167 WAC.

(5)

(a) A cannabis processor may blend tested useable cannabis from multiple lots into a single package for sale to a cannabis retail licensee so long as the label requirements for each lot used in the blend are met and the percentage by weight of each lot is also included on the label.

(b) A processor may not treat or otherwise adulterate useable cannabis with any organic or nonorganic chemical or other compound whatsoever to alter the color, appearance, weight, or smell of the useable cannabis.

(6) Recipes, product, packaging, and labeling approval.

(a) A cannabis processor licensee must obtain label and packaging approval from the board for all cannabis-infused products meant for oral ingestion prior to offering these items for sale to a cannabis retailer. The cannabis processor licensee must submit a picture of the product, labeling, and packaging to the board for approval. More information on the product, packaging, and label review process is available on the board's website.

(b) All recipes for cannabis-infused products meant for oral ingestion ( cannabis edible products) must be approved by the department of agriculture under chapter 16-131 WAC. Licensees must obtain recipe approval from the department of agriculture prior to submitting any cannabis edible products, packages, and labels for review and approval by the board. The recipe for any cannabis-infused solid or liquid products meant to be ingested orally must be kept on file at the cannabis processor's licensed premises and made available for inspection by the board or its designee.

(c) If the board denies a cannabis-infused product for sale in cannabis retail outlets, the cannabis processor licensee may request an administrative hearing under chapter 34.05 RCW, Administrative Procedure Act.

(7) With the exception of the cannabis, all ingredients used in making cannabis-infused products for oral ingestion must be a commercially manufactured food as defined in WAC 246-215-01115.

(8) Cannabis-infused edible products in solid or liquid form must be homogenized to ensure uniform disbursement of cannabinoids.

(9) A cannabis processor may infuse food or drinks with cannabis, provided that:

(a) The product or products do not require cooking or baking by the consumer;

(b) Coatings applied to the product or products are compliant with the requirements of this chapter;

(c) The product and package design is not similar to commercially available products marketed for consumption by persons under 21 years of age, as defined by WAC 314.55.105 (1)(c).

(10) To reduce the risk to public health, potentially hazardous foods as defined in WAC 246-215-01115 may not be infused with cannabis. Potentially hazardous foods require time-temperature control to keep them safe for human consumption and prevent the growth of pathogenic microorganisms or the production of toxins. Any food that requires refrigeration, freezing, or a hot holding unit to keep it safe for human consumption may not be infused with cannabis.

(11) Other food items that may not be infused with cannabis to be sold in a retail store include:

(a) Any food that has to be acidified to make it shelf stable;

(b) Food items made shelf stable by canning or retorting;

(c) Fruit or vegetable juices (this does not include shelf stable concentrates);

(d) Fruit or vegetable butters;

(e) Pumpkin pies, custard pies, or any pies that contain egg;

(f) Dairy products of any kind such as butter, cheese, ice cream, or milk; and

(g) Dried or cured meats.

(h) Vinegars and oils derived from natural sources may be infused with dried cannabis if all plant material is subsequently removed from the final product. Vinegars and oils may not be infused with any other substance, including herbs and garlic.

(i) Cannabis-infused jams and jellies made from scratch must utilize a standardized recipe in accordance with 21 C.F.R. Part 150 , revised as of April 1, 2013.

(12) Consistent with WAC 314-55-104, a cannabis processor may infuse dairy butter or fats derived from natural sources, and use that extraction to prepare allowable cannabis-infused solid or liquid products meant to be ingested orally, but the dairy butter or fats derived from natural sources may not be sold as stand-alone products. The board may designate other food items that may not be infused with cannabis.

(13) Cannabis processor licensees are allowed to have a maximum of six months of their average useable cannabis and six months average of their total production on their licensed premises at any time.

(14) Processing service arrangements. A processing service arrangement is when one processor (processor B) processes useable cannabis or an altered form of useable cannabis (cannabis product) for another licensed processor (processor A) for a fee.

(a) Processor A is the product owner. However, processor B may handle the product under its license as provided in chapter 69.50 RCW and this chapter. Processor B is not allowed to transfer the product to a retailer and may only possess cannabis or cannabis products received from processor A for the limited purposes of processing it for ultimate transfer back to processor A.

(b) Processing service arrangements must be made on a cash basis only as provided in WAC 314-55-115 and payment for the service and return of the processed product must be made within 30 calendar days of delivery to processor B. Failure to do so as provided by the preceding sentence is a violation of this section and any cannabis or cannabis product involved in the transaction will be subject to seizure and destruction. Payment with any cannabis products, barter, trade, or compensation in any form other than cash for processing service arrangements is prohibited under processing service arrangements.

(c) Each processor that enters into a processing service arrangement must include records for each service arrangement in recordkeeping documents which must be maintained consistent with this chapter.

(15) Cannabis may not be returned by any retail licensee to any processor except as provided in this section.

(a) Every processor must maintain on the licensed premises for a period of five years complete records of all refunds and exchanges made under this section including an inventory of cannabis and cannabis products returned to the processor by any retail licensee.

(b) Cannabis may be returned by a retail licensee in the event a retailer goes out of the business of selling cannabis at retail and a cash refund, as defined by WAC 314-55-115, may be made upon the return of the cannabis or cannabis products, so long as WSLCB approval is acquired prior to returns and refunds under this subsection.

(c) Cannabis products different from that ordered by a retailer and delivered to the retailer may be returned to a processor and either replaced with cannabis products which were ordered or a cash refund, as defined by WAC 314-55-115, may be made. These incorrect orders must be discovered and corrected within eight days of the date the delivery was made to be eligible for returns and refunds under this subsection.

(d) A cannabis processor may accept returns of products and sample jars from cannabis retailers for destruction, but is not required to provide refunds to the retailer. It is the responsibility of the retailer to ensure the product or sample jar is returned to the processor.

(16) The board may take disciplinary action against any cannabis processor that fails to comply with the provisions of WAC 246-80-021.

Notes

Wash. Admin. Code § 314-55-077

Amended by WSR 14-10-044, filed 4/30/14, effective 5/31/2014 Amended by WSR 15-11-107, Filed 5/20/2015, effective 6/20/2015 Amended by WSR 16-11-110, Filed 5/18/2016, effective 6/18/2016 Amended by WSR 18-22-055, Filed 10/31/2018, effective 12/1/2018 Amended by WSR 20-01-172, Filed 12/18/2019, effective 1/1/2020 Amended by WSR 21-15-124, Filed 7/21/2021, effective 8/21/2021 Amended by WSR 22-14-111, Filed 7/6/2022, effective 8/6/2022

Statutory Authority: RCW 69.50.325, 69.50.331, 69.50.342, 69.50.345. WSR 13-21-104, § 314-55-077, filed 10/21/13, effective 11/21/13. WSR 13-21-003, § 314-55-077, filed 10/3/2013, effective 11/3/2013