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Bill

SB 5206

Concerning cannabis retailer advertising.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Gildon and 2 co-sponsors

Implements stricter cannabis advertising rules: limits signs, restricts content and placement, requires 21+ notices, and enforces via LCB and local governments starting Jan 1, 2026

Effective date 1/1/2026.
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Bill Summary · SB 5206

Summary — SB 5206 (69th Legislature, 2025)

Title: Concerning cannabis retailer advertising
Sponsors: Senators MacEwen, Gildon, and Stanford
Chapter: 378, 2025 Laws
Governor signed: May 20, 2025 — Effective date: January 1, 2026

Purpose

SB 5206 revises Washington’s statutory restrictions on cannabis-related advertising to clarify where advertising is restricted, adjust the number and types of signs allowed at retail locations, add content and venue limits, and impose new pricing and cross‑licensing advertising prohibitions. The bill updates RCW 69.50.369 and assigns enforcement responsibilities between the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) and local governments.

Key provisions and specific changes

  • Distance limit: Continues prohibition on placing any cannabis advertisement within 1,000 feet of school grounds, playgrounds, child care centers, public parks, libraries, recreation centers, or game arcades that admit persons under age 21.
  • On-premises advertising: Replaces the prior “outside the licensed premises” wording with limits on cannabis-related advertising “on the licensed premises.”
  • Number/location/size of signs:
    • Retailers may display up to four cannabis-related advertisement signs on the licensed premises; these must be affixed to or hung in windows on the side of the building with the main entrance.
    • Each advertisement sign may be no larger than 1,600 square inches.
    • Signs visible from the public right-of-way (including through windows) count as advertising.
  • Small-sign exception: Signs under 512 square inches are not considered advertising if they contain no brand/trade names or cannabis images and are limited to items such as hours, “open/closed,” ATM presence, “welcome,” required notices, or community notices.
  • Trade name signs: Retailers may use up to two additional trade name signs (separate from the four ad signs). Trade name signs:
    • May only display the business trade name as it appears on the license;
    • May not display cannabis products or brand names;
    • Must comply with local size/number rules; local governments are responsible for enforcing trade name sign and billboard size/number.
    • One trade name sign may be double-sided (counts as one if identical content).
  • Content restrictions:
    • Advertising that portrays alcohol, tobacco/nicotine use, or any association with motor vehicles/vehicle operation is prohibited.
    • Cannabis advertising is prohibited inside businesses licensed by the LCB under chapters concerning vapor/tobacco (e.g., cigars, cigarettes) or other specified chapters.
    • Transit advertisements (on/within vehicles or at bus stops, train stations, airports, etc.) are prohibited.
    • Ads must not target persons outside Washington.
  • Age notice: All cannabis advertisements (regardless of medium), except trade name signs, must include text indicating only persons 21+ may purchase or possess cannabis; text must be reasonably legible.
  • Youth protection: Continued ban on advertising practices that target persons under 21 (e.g., toys, cartoon characters, depictions appealing to youth).
  • Pricing restriction: Licensees may not advertise, offer for sale, or sell cannabis below acquisition cost (medical‑use sales to qualifying patients are exempt).
  • Other clarifications:
    • “Merchandising” exception revised to “placement of products” within retail outlets.
    • Exception for event advertising modified to apply to events held in areas the LCB classifies as off‑limits to persons under 21.
    • LCB given rulemaking authority to regulate permissible outdoor advertising text/images.
    • Adopt‑a‑Highway signs (DOT) are treated in the bill’s legislative record; an amendment proposing to count DOT Adopt‑a‑Highway signs toward the four permitted signs was proposed but not adopted.

Who is affected

  • Primary: licensed cannabis producers, processors, researchers, and retailers operating in Washington.
  • Secondary: local governments (enforcement of trade name sign/billboard size and number), the Liquor and Cannabis Board (rulemaking and enforcement of other advertising provisions), businesses licensed to sell tobacco or vapor products (barred from doing cannabis advertising), advertising vendors, and retail property owners.

Enforcement and implementation

  • The LCB retains rulemaking and enforcement authority for many advertising restrictions; local jurisdictions enforce trade name sign and billboard size/number compliance.
  • New restrictions and requirements become effective January 1, 2026.

Legislative/ procedural status

  • Passed Senate (38–10) and House (72–23); Governor signed May 20, 2025. Effective date: 1/1/2026. No direct appropriation included. A fiscal note was prepared.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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