Our Mission is to unite prevention advocates in Washington State to create safe and healthy communities by preventing substance misuse and violence.
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Kratom Policy Collaborative - pushing the state toward regulation
Washington is one of 16 states with no kratom regulations. The Kratom Policy Collaborative (KPC) — a cross‑sector group focused on kratom risks and policy — is working to change that through legislation planned for the 2027 session.
Kratom is a Southeast Asian plant whose main active compound, mitragynine, binds to multiple brain receptors. Low doses act as a stimulant; higher doses produce opioid‑like effects and can cause serious harm, including death. People use kratom for pain, mood, energy, or easing opioid cravings, but any reported benefits are anecdotal, not research‑based. The substance is sold in many forms and is widely available in convenience stores, gas stations, and vape shops.
One major problem with kratom is that many products are now enhanced with synthetic 7‑hydroxymitragynine (7‑OH), a potent variant of kratom’s active compound. While a typical dose of natural kratom might contain about 1 milligram, some enhanced products contain up to 100 milligrams per dose. For some people, even unadulterated kratom is risky — but the enhanced forms pose serious danger to nearly everyone who uses them.
Kratom largely flew under the radar until a few years ago when the powerful synthetic versions of the drug showed up. In the last 18drew little attention, though the FDA did attempt — unsuccessfully — to block its import in 2014. Today, 12 states ban all forms of kratom, and 13 others ban 7‑hydroxymitragynine or its synthetic variants.
Three kratom‑related bills were introduced in the 2026 legislative session, but none passed. Rep. Kristine Reeves (D‑31st), the prime sponsor of HB 2291 — the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, has since convened meetings with stakeholders to refine the bill for reintroduction in 2027. The Kratom Policy Collaborative (KPC) is actively participating in these sessions.
Because kratom is not widely understood, the Kratom Policy Collaborative (KPC) has created three educational background documents. Use them to inform your coalition and community about kratom and its public‑health risks.
Click on the images to access the documents.
One-page overview document, front and back
More in-depth, eight-page document with sources and references
Very detailed 50-page report identifying what each state is doing regarding kratom regulation
WASAVP's 2026 Legislative Session Report Card
WASAVP tracked more than 200 bills during the 2026 Washington State Legislative session and provided testimony on more than 30 of them.
Nine tracked bills passed consistent with WASAVP positions were signed into law. Five bills did not pass the legislature, consistent with WASAVP positions. The 2026 Supplemental Budget reduced funding for tobacco prevention, substance misuse prevention, and mental health promotion.
New!!! - Guidance for responding to changes in cannabis retailer advertising from passage of SSB 5206
Starting January 1, 2026, local governments—cities, towns, and counties—will take over regulation of cannabis retailer trade name signs from the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB).
This is a big change. Local governments will enforce state rules and can also make stricter regulations if they choose. The law sets maximum limits on signage, but many communities haven’t yet made local rules.
This is a chance for prevention coalitions and community groups to help shape how cannabis advertising is handled locally.
Many people in public health or prevention may not be familiar with how sign rules are made.
WASAVP Positions and Briefing Documents Regarding Prevention-related Legislation
WASAVP has created position statements and briefing documents regarding several issues that are likely to be debated by the legislature at its upcoming sessions. These position statements serve as the foundation for WASAVP's Action Alerts that are sent to local prevention and public health workers during the legislative session.
WASAVP's 2026 Legislative Priorities
For more than 25 years, the Washington Association for Substance misuse And Violence Prevention (WASAVP) has worked to support and expand substance misuse and violence prevention in Washington State. WASAVP is a membership organization started in 2000 by a group of dedicated community-based prevention advocates and coalition coordinators.
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Support healthy, safe communities by preventing substance misuse and violence. (3 action items)
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Protect youth by reducing access to harmful substances and by minimiziing exposure to advertising. (7 action items)
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Increase local control over alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco/vaping sales (3 action items)
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Prevent Impaired Driving. (2 action items)
Download "Full WASAVP legislative priorities list with the 15 specific action items."
WASAVP Positions and Briefing Documents Regarding Prevention-related Legislation
WASAVP's 2025 Legislative Session Report Card
Status of Prevention-related Bills
This table displays bills identified by WASAVP as having a direct impact on community-based or environmental prevention and public health efforts.
The table is designed to highlight which bills are receiving attention or action in a given week. More than 150 bills are included in this list. Most are bills that were not passed in the 2025 legislative session but are still considered active. Bills with hearings scheduled or other legislative action pending during the week are listed first, followed by the remaining bills arranged by bill number.
You can locate a specific bill by using the page selector at the bottom right of the table to navigate through the full list.
Only bills that receive hearings before legislative committees have the opportunity to advance toward passage, and only a small percentage of the bills in this table will ultimately receive a hearing.
Key abbreviations in table:
PH - Public Hearing, Input is taken on bills
ES - Executive Session - committee takes action on bill
FV - Floor vote
Bill Number | Bill Title, Sponsors | Link to Bill | Topic | WASAVP Position | Scheduled Action | Action Scheduled This Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6290 | Reorganizing the liquor and cannabis board.
Sponsor: King | https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=6290&Year=2025&Initiative=false | Other | Con | 2/2, 10:30 AM - PH - Senate Labor and Commerce | Yes |
6303 | Sustainability and safety in cannabis product packaging and vapor devices.
Sponsor: Shewmake | https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6303&Year=2026&Initiative=false | Tobacco/Vape | Pro | 2/2, 10:30 PM - PH - Senate Labor and Commerce | Yes |
2532 | Sale and distribution of nitrous oxide.
Sponsor: Timmons
Companion Bill: 6169 | https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=2532&Year=2025&Initiative=false | Other | Pro | 2/2, 1:30 PM - ES - House Community Safety
1/26, 1:30 AM - PH - House Community Safety | Yes |
1834 | Protecting Washington children online | https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=1834&Year=2025&Initiative=false | Child Abuse | Pro | 2/2, 4 PM - ES - House Appropriations
1/26, 4 PM - PH - House Appropriations | Yes |
5921 | Concerning psilocybin.
Sponsors: Salomon
| https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5921&Year=2025&Initiative=false | MH/Suicide | No Position | 2/3, 10:30 AM - ES - Senate Health and Long-term Care
1/27, 10:30 AM - PH - Senate Health and Long-term Care | Yes |
6195 | Preventing an oversupply of cannabis.
Sponsor: Saldana
Companion Bill: 2315 | https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6195&Year=2026&Initiative=false | Cannabis/Marijuana | Pro | 2/3, 10:30 AM - ES - Senate Labor and Commerce
1/26, 10:30 AM - PH - Senate Labor and Commerce | Yes |
6196 | Taxing KratomSponsor: Saldana | https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6196&Year=2026&Initiative=false | Other | No position | 2/3, 10:30 AM - ES - Senate Labor and Commerce
1/26, 10:30 AM - PH - Senate Labor and Commerce | Yes |
6204 | Legalizing the home cultivation of cannabis by persons who are 21 years of age and older.
Sponsor: Saldana
Companion Bill: 2614 | https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=6204&Year=2025&Initiative=false | Cannabis/Marijuana | Con | 2/3, 10:30 AM - ES - Senate Labor and Commerce
1/26, 10:30 AM - PH - Senate Labor and Commerce | Yes |
6287 | Preparation, distribution, and sale of kratom products.
Sponsor: Saloman | https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6287&Year=2025&Initiative=False | Other | No Position | 2/3, 10:30 AM - ES - Senate Labor and Commerce
1/27, 10:30 AM - PH - Senate Labor and Commerce | Yes |
6049 | Protecting student and employee information from public disclosure.
Sponsor: Wilson, C | https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=6049&Year=2025&Initiative=false | Other | Pro | 2/3, 1:30 PM - ES - Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affiars & Elections
1/30, 10:30 AM - PH -Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections
| Yes |
