USA - Washington

Staff provided rulemaking updates and reviewed actions set for the next day including THC regulation, identification reform, product samples, and a new type of employee benefit plan.

WSLCB staff postponed several rulemaking projects before the Board enabled cannabis businesses to accept checks then heard comments in the aftermath of the Kim Potter debacle.

The WSDA Pesticide Advisory Board would discuss the Endangered Species Act on Monday before a full week of scheduled rulemaking and leadership updates at the WSLCB.

A cannabis postdoc presented research on state-level budtender requirements, eliciting specific interests of board members and agency research staff on implementing training policies.

State legislators and healthcare policy leaders planned to participate in a University of Washington conference on substance use and addiction clinical care, research, and education.

Remarks to Enforcement staff by an ex-cop convicted of manslaughter were cancelled, but questions remained about planning and why it was leaked to the press before WSLCB leaders heard about it.

DOH youth tobacco and cannabis prevention staff interpreted Healthy Youth Survey data, shared public health goals for the future, then responded to questions and concerns from legislators.

Agency leaders would brief lawmakers on topics like traceability, changes may be offered for social equity and THC rulemaking projects, plus public health outreach and media interest in cannabis labs.

Seasonal change and the approaching 2025 legislative session were signaled by lawmaker work sessions and a University of Washington symposium on cannabis and mental health.

Rulemaking ruled the meeting including a petition on transportation, final rules on patient excise tax exemptions, and hearings on payment options, THC, and social equity; public comments followed.