USA - Washington

The conversation started off with details on how WSLCB officers were enforcing hemp product restrictions, rulemaking updates, then a last minute review of agency request bill topics.

WSLCB Enforcement and Education leaders would present an update on SB 5367, the “THC Bill,” before a public hearing on the agency’s proposed rules the next day.

After staff explained potential rule changes on sales of cannabis waste, participants gave input on how to reduce disposal costs and the wider environmental impacts from the market.

A long-time leader in the prevention community would co-chair their final meeting of the State research collaborative the same day as a focus group on implementing the cannabis waste bill.

Besides a call for minor changes to rules implementing a patient tax exemption, board members heard about an alleged “bait and switch” tactic being used on some equity applicants.

Leadership heard from the Education Program Manager about how notices to correct prohibited practices on promotions, discounts, and management agreements were impacting markets.

Aside from the growing trickle of WSLCB rulemaking, agency Finance division leaders were headed to Spokane Valley to provide a presentation to licensed cannabis operators.

Agency leaders covered request legislation and a possible hemp bill; applications advancing in the social equity program; along with research and traceability updates.

Research staff talked about an economics report on the cannabis sector regarding opportunity for additional licenses, plus the operating procedures and initial briefs from the group.

Proposed rule updates to product samples were approved by the board, and staff also described a new PAL approval process before hearing some confrontational public comments.