The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) convenes a meeting of the three-member Board every two weeks to consider formal rulemaking actions and hear public testimony.
WSLCB - Board Meeting
(May 2, 2018)
Wednesday May 2, 2018 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Observed
Observations
The Board voted to adopt changes to packaging and labeling rules as well as an interim policy for licensees to expedite implementation of the new rules and public comment drew remarks on WSLCB's lack of consideration for medical cannabis patients and consumer over-reliance on cannabis potency numbers.
Here are some observations from the Wednesday May 2nd Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) Board Meeting.
My top 3 takeaways:
- The Board approved the CR 103 for packaging and labeling rules (CR 103, transcript, audio) and adopted a Board Interim Policy to give licensees the option to implement the new rules more quickly (BIP-05-2018, transcript, audio).
- WSLCB Policy and Rules Coordinator Joanna Eide gave an overview of changes being proposed for adoption including changes to packaging requirements for multi service beverages, removal of UBI number, accompanying materials via electronic format, enhancements to definitions to further define “especially appealing to children” and the term “cartoon,” as well as a new universal symbol for all Cannabis products.
- During the public comment period two consumer/patient advocates, Don Skakie (transcript, audio) and Steve Sarich (transcript, audio), testified to express frustration that patients have not been identified and included as stakeholders in WSLCB rulemaking processes.
- Artizen’s General Manager, Dan Purkey, presented persuasive testimony highlighting the fallacy of overemphasizing the importance of THC and asked the WSLCB to require retailers to post signage to help educate consumers on the complexity of Cannabis (transcript, audio).