USA - Washington

WSLCB leaders heard about national and regional conferences staff had participated in along with updates on media requests, traceability, and a “strategic plan” for social equity communications.

The final licensing and community reinvestment recommendations from the task force were presented, discussed, and voted upon before members scheduled remaining work.

The full social equity task force planned to convene for the first time in two months to elect a new co-chair and hear a progress report from the Washington State Department of Commerce.

A group of conference attendees talked about enforcement practices, licensing changes, the incipient social equity program, and rulemaking challenges with WSLCB leaders.

WSLCB Chair David Postman opened up about tensions between regulators and licensees, the need to refine cannabis policies, and his wish for the agency to be “a positive force in moving this industry."

Attendees heard about the WSDA hemp program and projects their staff were involved with, then asked about hemp testing and the possibility of Ag regulating cannabis production.

In addition to a full slate of WSLCB public meetings, the agency planned to host a final deliberative dialogue and the social equity task force production work group would meet.

Committee members learned the status of the WSLCB equity retail program and asked a few questions as they sought to develop a dedicated social equity program for Seattle.

The locus of cannabis policymaking in Washington state would temporarily shift to Walla Walla as an influential trade association convened legislators and regulators to confer and commingle.

Board members adopted revisions to pesticide action level rules, planned to begin “hybrid” in-person and virtual events the following week, and heard public comments on retail licensing.