WSLCB - Board Meeting
(May 30, 2018)

Here are some observations from the Wednesday May 30th WSLCB Board Meeting.

My top 3 takeaways:

• Joanne Eide, Policy and Rules Coordinator at the WSLCB, asked the Board to adopt the final CR 103 for retail license forfeiture rules. Joanna went over parameters set in statute that exempt certain licensees from the forfeiture requirements; for example, those in areas with bans or moratoria, and licensees who are unable to open due to circumstances outside of their control. The rules were adopted unanimously by the Board (transcript, audio).
• Joanna Eide introduced the public hearing for the omnibus 2017 cannabis legislation implementation rules. Based on comments received, Joanna stated the language restricting vendor samples may be a bit too restrictive, so WSLCB may provide more flexibility. Joanna acknowledged many producers/processors have expressed concerns about volume discounts (transcript, audio, video).
• There were many public comments, both on the omnibus rule making and general comments.
  • Dominique Scalia (transcript, audio) and Dan Fallon (transcript, audio) spoke about the function of receiverships and their importance in a cash flow economy such as the cannabis industry. They asked the Board to reconsider proposed limitations on the number and type of licenses that an entity can receive at one time.
  • Brooke Davies of CORE asked that the Board consider increasing the time allowed for returning product from 8 to 30 days (transcript, audio).
  • Anne Sulton again asked the Board to convene a working group to focus on minorities and women in the cannabis industry (transcript, audio).
  • Jim MacRae expressed frustration with data being distributed by the WSLCB—which he believes is severely inaccurate—and with the MJ Freeway Leaf traceability system saying, “To continue to require people to pay for something that is—if anything—compromising their business just seems wrong” (transcript, audio).