USA - Washington

The Board opted not to voluntarily undertake revision of residency requirements for applicants, nor allow certified fire code inspectors to help ensure the safety of extraction operations.

SBOH members heard two notable public comments on proposed rules to more permanently prohibit use of vitamin E acetate in all vapor products before voting to adopt the rules as final.

The Board denied two petitions for rulemaking on residency requirements and extraction inspection.

Members confirmed WSLCB remains “stuck between a rock and a hard place” but sought answers about lab results, the open data portal, license renewal fees, and legislative outreach.

WSLCB’s final BIPOC Engagement and opportunity to consider rulemaking on out-of-state ownership could be overshadowed by the City of Everett opening up 3 new retail opportunities.

Senators requested and received a brief update from WSLCB on “criminal activity” which we elaborate on to describe the agency’s enforcement actions and participation in drug task forces.

WSLCB leadership listened during more than two hours of community feedback, provided some feedback of their own, and shared new details about the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force.

We review a history of WSLCB’s specification of pesticide action levels as the Board denied another petition for change from the Washington SunGrowers Industry Association (WSIA).

During Tuesday morning’s brief caucus, the WSLCB Board denied a petition for rulemaking seeking to adjust pesticide action levels and glossed over the social equity BIPOC engagements.

In the second BIPOC engagement, WSLCB leadership spoke before allowing more time for 19 participants to voice deeply held frustrations and offer suggestions for ways forward.