Wyoming introduces legislation to regulate cannabis

Wyoming has just introduced legislation that could lead to a legal industry for cannabis in this predominantly conservative state.

The bill, known as House Bill 0209, was introduced in the State Assembly by Representative Mike Yin and supported by 13 other state lawmakers. The bill proposes to authorize the sale, purchase, possession, and cultivation of cannabis for individuals over the age of 21, who will be allowed to possess up to 3 ounces (84g) of flower and up to 30 grams of concentrate.

Home cultivation would also be permitted for up to 12 female plants and a supply of 16 ounces of cannabis (450g), «provided that any amount exceeding 2½ ounces [(70g)] is stored in a container or area with locks or other security devices that restrict access to the container or area.».

The sale of cannabis would be taxed at a rate of 30% and permitted for stores holding a state license. The state also plans to implement a tracking system seed-to-sale in order to regulate the legal trade in cannabis.

«To ensure that cannabis grown or processed by an establishment is not sold or otherwise transferred except through a cannabis retail store or as otherwise authorized by law, the board must develop and maintain a seed-to-sale tracking system that tracks cannabis from the seed or immature plant stage until the retail cannabis or retail cannabis product is sold to a customer at a cannabis retail store,» explains the bill.

The Potential of HB0209

Local economic estimates project annual government revenue of 50 million $, which would be allocated to a fund for schools and local communities, in addition to financing the regulatory system.

Currently, Wyoming has a forfeiture fund that collects approximately 649,645 $ annually in the form of cash seizures for drug-related offenses, half of which comes from cannabis-related crimes.

According to the bill, the Ministry of Agriculture estimates that an application fee of 5,000 $ would apply to each type of license. The Department projects 100 cultivation facilities, 50 manufacturing facilities, 25 secure transporters, five testing facilities, 200 retail stores, and 50 microbusinesses.

An Assembly committee must now review the bill before it goes to a vote in both chambers.