USA - Washington

WSLCB leaders would meet privately with public health and prevention advocates to hear their perspectives, presenting another opportunity to ask why these events remain hidden.

In his final bill signing, Governor Jay Inslee offered hope Washington would continue to prosper under a supplemental budget with rates of cannabis spending largely the same as 2023.

While the WSLCB Board cancelled all of their meetings for the week, staff would host two focus groups, WSDA prepared a public hearing, and the obscure WIDAC quarterly meeting was up.

In looking at rulemaking implementing definitional and retail medical endorsement changes, various parties were interested in impacts for producing and selling hemp consumables in 502.

Recalling the summer vacation season and policymaking doldrums, only a WSLCB caucus meeting was scheduled and members had already cancelled meetings for the following week.

Members of the public expressed dissatisfaction over the company picked to process social equity grants, adjudication of a patient cooperative dispute, and new cannabis education offerings.

Staff looked ahead to 2024 legislative implementation and outstanding cannabis projects, including a recently submitted petition to ban disposable vapor cartridges.

Officials outlined a transition period to take on accreditation authority in parallel with revising standards, including method approval and when enforcement of new standards would start.

The cannabis waste bill was lined up for Inslee’s signature, rules on THC legislation from 2023 were ready for review, and WSDA staff kept their eyes on the calendar for lab accreditation.

Board members learned about the benefit-cost analysis of legal cannabis conducted by WSIPP researchers, including how agency staff could better collaborate on topics of mutual interest.