State Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center Photo

A pair of bills under consideration in the Legislature aim to better align the state’s medical marijuana system with its still-evolving market for recreational pot.

The Senate Health Care Committee on Tuesday heard testimony on two proposals, including one introduced by state Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center. Senate Bill 5887 would, among other things, set up a state registry for medical marijuana patients and providers, and establish new limits on the amount of marijuana one could possess. The bill would also direct a portion of marijuana-related tax revenue to local counties and cities for law enforcement and public safety. Other tax revenue would go toward research and funding the registry.

“This is a very complex bill, and we tried to figure out as many answers as we could,” Rivers said at the committee hearing, which was broadcast online by TVW. “What this bill is not, for the record, is an attack on medical marijuana.”

Rivers noted that her father used medical marijuana. The proposals before the Legislature this year are an opportunity to have a “rational, adult conversation” about the issue, she said.

Rivers first introduced her bill last year. It was discussed Tuesday with a similar bill from state Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle. Kohl-Welles’ proposal, Senate Bill 6178, shares many things in common with Rivers’ plan. It would create a verification program and new limits on medical marijuana possession, though not entirely in line with Rivers’ bill. Among the co-sponsors on the Kohl-Welles bill is state Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver.