In November 2012, Washington State voters passed Initiative 502 to regulate and tax the use and sale of cannabis for persons twenty-one years of age and older. As part of I-502, WSIPP was directed to “conduct cost-benefit evaluations of the implementation” of the law. The evaluations must include measures of impacts on public health, public safety, cannabis use, the economy, the criminal justice system, and state and local costs and revenues.

A preliminary report was released in September 2015. The second required report was released in September 2017, and the third required report was released in September 2023. The last mandated report is due in 2032.

Previous Findings
Supplemental to the ongoing benefit-cost evaluation of cannabis legalization authorized by Initiative 502 in 2012, the 2018 Washington State Legislature directed WSIPP to conduct additional cannabis research. WSIPP was directed to update its inventory of programs for the prevention and treatment of youth cannabis use; examine current data collection methods measuring the use of cannabis by youth and potential ways to improve on these methods; and identify effective methods used to reduce or eliminate the unlicensed cultivation or distribution of marijuana in jurisdictions with existing legal marijuana markets.

Related reports:
Monitoring Trends in Use Prior to Implementation of I-502 and Employment and Wage Earnings in Licensed Marijuana Businesses.

Recent Findings
Initiative 502 and Cannabis-Related Public Health and Safety Outcomes: Third Required Report
We describe findings from analyses of the relationship between non-medical cannabis legalization or licensed retail operations and various outcomes. First, we examined how cannabis possession misdemeanor conviction rates changed in Washington after the passage of I-502. Second, we examined how reported cannabis use has changed in Washington after the passage of I-502 compared to non-legalizing states. Last, we specifically focused on the impact of local access to licensed non-medical retailers. For these analyses, we examined how retail access relates to substance abuse and traffic safety outcomes within the state over time.

Reported Substance Use: Using national survey data, we compared changes in the rates of reported cannabis, alcohol, and other substance use in Washington after the enactment of I-502 and the start of a licensed retail market, relative to changes in comparable states that did not legalize non-medical cannabis.

Cannabis-Related Convictions: We examined how rates of cannabis possession misdemeanor convictions have changed since the enactment of I-502. We examined conviction rates separately for different ages, sex, and racial groups.

Traffic Fatalities: We examined the relationship between greater access to licensed non-medical cannabis retailers and the prevalence of fatal traffic collisions. We also examined the relationship between retail accessibility and the prevalence of drivers involved in a fatal crash who test positive for THC both alone and in combination with alcohol.

Substance Use Disorder Diagnoses: We examined the relationship between greater access to licensed non-medical cannabis retailers and the probability of cannabis use disorder, alcohol use disorder, or opioid use disorder diagnoses.

High School Outcomes: We examined the relationship between school proximity to an operational non-medical cannabis retailer and high school outcomes, including attendance, disciplinary outcomes, and high school graduation.

The 2025 Legislature passed a study to evaluate potential cost savings for the state of Washington if legally responsible individuals, such as parents, are allowed to serve as paid caregivers for their developmentally disabled children. The Washington State Institute for Public Policy will lead the study, with required cooperation from the Office of the State Actuary, the Department of Social and Health Services, the Health Care Authority, and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to ensure access to necessary data and resources. The study will, to the extent possible, quantify cost savings from reduced reliance on entitlement programs, decreased use of hospitals, foster care, and residential facilities, and any likely additional savings related to this policy.

An initial report is due to the legislature by December 31, 2025, with a final report due by November 15, 2026.

The 2022 Washington State Legislature directed WSIPP to conduct a comprehensive study of the needs of farmworkers in the state to help policymakers determine whether those needs are being met by state-administered programs, policies, and statutes. WSIPP must focus on needs related to health and safety in the workplace, payment of wages, and preventing harassment and discrimination of, and retaliation against, farmworkers for asserting their rights regarding health and safety standards, wage and hour laws, and access to services. The information must be based on surveys or interviews conducted by Latino nonprofit agencies with well-established connections to farmworkers.

WSIPP must also examine how relevant state agencies coordinate with each other and federal agencies in enforcing the laws and policies related to farmworkers and review available data and research on programs intended to provide farmworkers access to services and benefits.

A preliminary report can be found here, and a final report is due to the legislature by June 30, 2025.

The 2023 Washington State Legislature directed WSIPP to examine the costs associated with conservation district elections under current law and the projected costs and benefits of shifting conservation district elections to be held on general election ballots. The study must include the following:

• An analysis of the amount of money that each conservation district spends on holding elections for supervisors under current law and a description of the funding sources that each conservation district utilizes to fund its elections;
• Information about voter turnout in each conservation district supervisor election in at least the past six years and up to the past 20 years, if the conservation district has such data, as well as a calculation of the total cost per ballot cast that each conservation district spent in those elections;
• A projection of the costs expected to be incurred by each county and each conservation district for its supervisor elections if the district were to hold its supervisor elections on general election ballots.
• A projection of the costs that would be expected to be incurred by each county and each conservation district for its supervisor elections if, in addition to the changes mentioned above, the conservation districts were divided into zones such that each zone is represented by a single supervisor, rather than electing each supervisor at-large throughout the district; and
• An overall description of potential nonmonetary costs and benefits associated with switching conservation district supervisor elections to the general election ballots and incorporating the abovementioned changes.

The preliminary report can be found here. A final report was originally due June 30, 2024. In June 2023, the WSIPP Board of Directors voted to shift the deadline to June 30, 2025.

The legislature recognizes that Washington State agencies face limited electronic access to peer-reviewed journals, often requiring staff to purchase individual articles, outsource searches, or visit libraries—resulting in inefficient and costly use of state resources. Observing that other states have improved access and reduced costs through statewide journal subscription models, the 2025 Legislature tasked WSIPP with exploring whether a similar approach would benefit Washington. This study will examine potential funding options, organizational structures, and mechanisms for providing state employees with electronic access to academic, scholarly, and scientific peer-reviewed journals.

The report is due to the legislature by June 30, 2026.

The 2023 Washington State Legislature directed WSIPP to study the potential need for developing specialized long-term services and supports for adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). At a minimum, the study must include the following:

• The demographics of adults with traumatic brain injuries in the state who are anticipated to require long-term services and supports, including an examination of those who are likely to be eligible for Medicaid long-term services and supports;
• The industry standards of providing long-term care services and supports to individuals with traumatic brain injuries; and
• Other states' methods to provide long-term services and support to individuals with TBIs including the rates paid for these services and a description of any specialized facilities established to deliver these services.

The report is due to the governor and the legislature by June 30, 2025.

The 2024 Washington State Legislature directed WSIPP, in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Health Care Authority (HCA), to study the current landscape of emergency medical services (EMS) in Washington. The study aims to evaluate the current EMS landscape and explore how other states fund or have considered funding EMS through federal, state, or local government.

WSIPP’s study includes examining trends in the number and types of EMS available, the volume of 911 responses, and the volume of interfacility transports provided by EMS organizations. Trends will be examined over time and across counties in Washington. Our study will also estimate the projected need for EMS services over the next two years.

Furthermore, WSIPP’s study will identify geographic disparities in EMS access, specifically noting areas without access to EMS services within a 25-minute average response time. WSIPP is also tasked with estimating the costs required to address gaps in EMS coverage and ensure timely access to services statewide.

In addition, the study will investigate models for EMS used by other states and review existing research and literature on EMS funding strategies.

To inform its findings, WSIPP will engage with EMS organizations, local governments, hospitals, labor organizations representing EMS personnel, and other relevant stakeholders identified by WSIPP and DOH, HCA, and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

A report is due to DOH and the legislature by June 1, 2026.

The 2021 Washington State Legislature directed WSIPP to evaluate the Guided Pathways Model. Guided Pathways is a community and technical college reform that aims to improve student experience and outcomes through changes to academic program structure, advising, instruction, and progress monitoring.

WSIPP’s preliminary report will review the implementation of the Guided Pathways Model in Washington and any available evidence of the effectiveness of the Guided Pathways Model. If possible, this report will also evaluate the effect of the Guided Pathways Model on early student outcomes, including, but not limited to, student retention and persistence, college-level English and math within the first year, graduation and transfer rates. The preliminary report can be found here.

A final report will evaluate the effect of Guided Pathways on longer-term student outcomes including, but not limited to, degree completion, time to degree, transfer to four-year institutions, employment, and earnings, to the extent possible. The final report is due in December 2029.

The 2013 Washington State Legislature directed WSIPP to prepare an inventory of evidence- and research-based practices, strategies, and activities for school districts to use in the Learning Assistance Program (LAP).

The state program provides supplemental academic support to eligible K-12 students achieving below grade level or not on track to meet local or state graduation requirements. LAP funds may support programs in reading, writing, mathematics, and readiness, as well as programs to reduce disruptive behavior.

An initial report was released in July 2014. Updates were published in July 2015, July 2016, June 2018, and July 2020. The inventory will be updated every two years thereafter.

WSIPP was scheduled to update the inventory in 2022. Instead of an update, WSIPP assessed the use of the inventory. In the absence of the regular update, WSIPP published a historical review of the LAP inventory, describing potential changes resulting from 2021 legislation, and offering a discussion of options regarding the future of the inventory. In 2024, WSIPP will be updating some LAP program findings. Those results will be released on the Benefit-Cost section of our website by the end of June 2025.

WSIPP receives funding from the legislature to conduct research on K-12 education topics that are relevant to Washington. Chronic absenteeism, defined as a student missing 10% or more school days in an academic year, has become an increasing concern at the national and state levels. Research indicates that missing school, whether excused or unexcused, is associated with lower academic achievement, negative behavioral outcomes, and an increased risk of dropping out of school. Between 2018 and 2023, a period that corresponds with the COVID-19 pandemic, national chronic absenteeism rates rose from 15% to 26%, while rates in Washington increased from 15% to 30%.

To better understand this topic, WSIPP will study student absenteeism in Washington, including the factors that contribute to it, absenteeism rates over time and by student populations, and the policies and interventions school districts use to reduce absences and engage students.

WSIPP will publish a report to the legislature July 15th, 2025.

The 2024 Washington State Legislature directed WSIPP to examine peer states’ programming related to breast cancer for native communities. Specifically, WSIPP is directed to describe programs for education and prevention before diagnosis, and support and resources after diagnosis, and to summarize any available research on these programs. The programs must be operated by the state, tribes, or tribes in coordination with the state.

The report is due to the legislature by June 30, 2025.

The Washington State Institute for Public Policy was directed by the 2025 Legislature to develop an inventory of evidence-based and research-based policies and programs aimed at reducing impaired driving and its associated fatalities and serious injuries. In consultation with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and other relevant entities, WSIPP must compile national and international research related to three specific policy areas: lowering the legal blood alcohol concentration from 0.08, implementing sobriety checkpoints, and increasing enforcement and penalties for impaired driving. WSIPP will publish a report detailing the projected costs and benefits of these policies and programs, including a comparative assessment of their effectiveness. The report may also offer recommendations for future research.

The inventory will be published by June 30, 2026.

The 2024 Washington State Legislature directed WSIPP to assess the passenger and air cargo forecasts cited in the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Regional Aviation Baseline Study. This assessment will include an evaluation of the underlying data, assumptions, methodologies, and calculation of the level of uncertainty around the forecast.

Additionally, WSIPP was tasked with conducting a literature review to identify effective national and international strategies to reduce demand for air travel. These strategies could include diverting air travel demand to alternative modes of transportation to avoid environmental impacts on overburdened communities and vulnerable populations.

Lastly, the report will review existing operational and technological enhancements designed to address the environmental impacts of commercial aviation activities. This includes examining climate-friendly aircraft technologies, innovations targeting the climate effects of non-CO2 emissions from aviation, simulation models for congested airports, and online tools for tracking, analyzing, and improving the carbon footprints of aviation activities. The review will assess the feasibility of implementing these enhancements within Washington.

A report is due to the legislature by December 31, 2025.