(1) A cannabis research license is established that permits a licensee to produce, process, and possess cannabis for the following limited research purposes:

(a) To test chemical potency and composition levels;

(b) To conduct clinical investigations of cannabis-derived drug products;

(c) To conduct research on the efficacy and safety of administering cannabis as part of medical treatment; and

(d) To conduct genomic or agricultural research.

(2) As part of the application process for a cannabis research license, an applicant must submit to the board's designated scientific reviewer a description of the research that is intended to be conducted. The 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 cannabis 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 cannabis research licensee may only sell cannabis grown or within its operation to other cannabis research licensees. The board may revoke a cannabis research license for violations of this subsection.

(4) A cannabis 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 cannabis research license, the board may adopt rules on the following:

(a) Application requirements;

(b) Cannabis research license renewal requirements, including whether additional research projects may be added or considered;

(c) Conditions for license revocation;

(d) Security measures to ensure cannabis is not diverted to purposes other than research;

(e) Amount of plants, useable cannabis, cannabis concentrates, or cannabis-infused products a licensee may have on its premises;

(f) Licensee reporting requirements;

(g) Conditions under which cannabis grown by licensed cannabis producers and other product types from licensed cannabis processors may be donated to cannabis research licensees; and

(h) Additional requirements deemed necessary by the board.

(6) The production, processing, possession, delivery, donation, and sale of cannabis, 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 cannabis researcher, shall not be a criminal or civil offense under Washington state law. Every cannabis research license must be issued in the name of the applicant, must specify the location at which the cannabis 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 cannabis research license is two hundred fifty dollars. The annual fee for issuance and renewal of a cannabis 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 board.

(8) The scientific reviewer shall review any reports made by cannabis research licensees under board rule and provide the 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 cannabis research license under this section and to review any reports submitted by cannabis research licensees under 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.

Intent—Finding—2022 c 16: See note following RCW 69.50.101.

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.