Marijuana occupied the thoughts of Washington state legislators on Wednesday when the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee held a public hearing on a bill that would legalize marijuana use for adults aged 21 and older if passed.

The bill would put marijuana under the jurisdiction of the Washington State Liquor Control Board, and it would be controlled much the same as alcohol.

If the legalization bill were to pass, there could also be some changes to Western’s residence halls because the bill requires public colleges and universities to provide marijuana-free areas in their residence halls or other institutionally owned housing.

“The bill won’t make huge changes,” he said.  “But it sets a positive tone for other states.”

California is also currently considering a marijuana legalization bill, which passed the California State Assembly’s Public Safety Committee by a 4-3 vote and will next be reviewed by the Assembly Health Committee.

The bill analysis, a non-partisan document prepared by legislative staff to aid lawmakers in their deliberations, said it would still be illegal to provide marijuana to someone underage, and for someone underage to have marijuana in their possession.

Washington’s legalization bill remains under consideration by the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee.  

The committee is scheduled to discuss the bill again in an executive session on Jan. 20.

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