Cannabis policymaking fell off a precipice in the wake of the legislative session and WSLCB “board efficiencies,” but Lynnwood officials would persevere to open the city to retail.
Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.
Monday April 28th
City of Lynnwood - City Council - Business Meeting
On Monday at 6pm PT, the Lynnwood City Council (City of Lynnwood - City Council) planned to convene a business meeting.
- [ Event Details ]
- In September 2024, Lynnwood City Council Member George Hurst introduced a motion requesting that the Lynnwood Planning Commission research and offer a recommendation to allow cannabis retail stores to locate within the City by March 31st. The motion was approved 4-3 and reproduced in the meeting minutes.
- The Planning Commission cancelled their Thursday March 13th meeting during which they had been scheduled to approve a draft recommendation as well as hear a presentation from WSLCB staff on the social equity program.
- Commissioners took up the deferred action item at their next meeting on Thursday March 27th—after the biweekly City Council meeting on Monday—and heard the WSLCB presentation. After approval, commissioners emailed the recommendation to councilmembers to meet the deadline in the initial motion.
- On Monday April 21st, councilmembers took up the recommendation during their work session.
- The meeting presentation included a map of the recommended zones to allow cannabis retailers to locate within city limits.
- Deliberations went on well past the allotted time as several councilmembers expressed confusion about the complexities of cannabis law and reservations about the perceived propriety of making cannabis products somewhat more accessible to residents.
- A majority appeared in favor of the move, but staff informed councilmembers that formally drafting and passing an ordinance would take several more months.
- As councilmembers still had questions—or wished to continue exercising opposition—and staff required more specificity, the body scheduled additional time to consider the matter at their business meeting on Monday.
Tuesday April 29th
WSLCB - Board Caucus
The weekly Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) Board Caucus was cancelled.
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- In keeping with the “Board Efficiencies” implemented in March, the weekly caucus cadence was changed to every other week and 25 public meetings planned for the calendar year were cancelled.
Wednesday April 30th
At publication time, there were no cannabis-related policymaking events planned.
Thursday May 1st
At publication time, there were no cannabis-related policymaking events planned.
Friday May 2nd
WA Pharmacy Commission - Legislative Review
The weekly Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (WA Pharmacy Commission) Legislative Review was cancelled.
- [ Event Details ]
- Friday had been the final legislative review planned for the 2025 regular session, but was also cancelled. Commissioners cancelled their final nine weekly reviews, and only convened for one third of their planned events (6 out of 18).