On darkest night, we reflect on where we have been, where we are going, and how.
Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.
2021 Legislative Session
- SB 5004 - “Providing a tax exemption for medical marijuana patients.” (Legislation)
- HB 1019 - “Allowing residential marijuana agriculture.” (Legislation)
Monday December 21st
Monday is the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, the shortest day of the year accompanied by the longest night. In many traditions, it is a time of turning inwards, re-evaluating, and reassessing in preparation for a new cycle and the lengthening of days.
As Bailey and I reflect on the past three years with Cannabis Observer, we recognize that it is important that we review where we have been, where we have arrived today, and where we intend to go. That assessment has encouraged us to share how we intend to proceed.
Words are tools of power, and must be wielded accordingly. What we speak and write shapes the world and our perception of it.
At Cannabis Observer, our subject is cannabis-related policymaking. We assume the creation of high-quality information which is well-distributed improves outcomes for any subject. Accordingly, we observe cannabis-related policymaking as truthfully as we know how, then interpret and share that information as widely as we are able.
The process of interpretation is one point where Cannabis Observer remains vigilant. It is at that point that conscious and unconscious bias, personal and professional agendas, ignorance, assumptions, and poor judgment can enter and undermine the improvement of outcomes. It is helpful to have a partner in this work, and I’m fortunate and grateful that Bailey Hirschburg has proven to be such a dedicated and principled citizen observer on this journey.
We also rely on our community to help us navigate a narrow path. If you ever feel that we have gone astray, or said something untrue, or spun something in a self-serving way - we want you to tell us.
There is complexity here because we serve a diverse community. Every individual who engages with our content is unique, and gleans value from our work. But most self-identify with groups based on professional affiliations. And in some circumstances, those groups do not desire the same outcomes. How should Cannabis Observer proceed when we have our own perspective which may or may not align with that of particular groups?
We recently updated the landing screen of our website and lead with our mission:
Cannabis Observer helps dismantle the prohibition of cannabis by creating outstanding information about cannabis policymaking in Washington state for stakeholders, the public, and policymakers themselves.
Fundamentally, we believe the prohibition of cannabis was wrong, and the outcomes from that socio-political choice were disastrous. We will be dealing with those outcomes for generations to come.
Fundamentally, we believe the plant cannabis has been stigmatized, and the outcomes from that cultural choice have set us back. We are eager to help lift that veil of ignorance so we can more quickly reintroduce the benefits and bounty of the cannabis plant back into human lives.
We recognize and honor the fact that this is all very new territory. We recognize and honor the fact that the plant cannabis has been purposefully evolved, and the products manufactured from it are new. We recognize the transition of unregulated marketplaces into thriving cannabis economies creates unprecedented challenges. These are all areas where a diversity of views should be expected and encouraged. At Cannabis Observer, we will openly engage in those processes with intellectual honesty and rigor.
Our north star will always remain the long, long relationship between the human species and the plant cannabis. We believe the socio-political and cultural choices of the last century, although not without precedent, are an aberrant blip in an otherwise mutually beneficial relationship between the animal and plant kingdoms. That relationship has existed and evolved for untold millenia, and we intend for our work to resonate with that pattern.
Thank you for joining us on this journey, and may your holiday season be rest-filled and peaceful.
Tuesday December 22nd
On Tuesday at 10am PT, the weekly WSLCB Board Caucus was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
Wednesday December 23rd
On Wednesday at 10am PT, the bi-weekly WSLCB Board Meeting was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
- At publication time, Cannabis Observer was not aware of any cannabis related-rulemaking scheduled for this board meeting.
The weekly WSLCB Executive Management Team (EMT) meeting was cancelled.
- [ Event Details ]
- On December 9th, the WSLCB hosted the last EMT meeting of 2020. We composed a summary of the primary topics addressed in that meeting which had not been addressed in recent legislative work sessions, and followed up with a summary of the presentation by Public Health Education Liaison Sara Cooley Broschart.
Thursday December 24th
No cannabis-related policymaking was scheduled for Christmas Eve.
Friday December 25th
The State of Washington recognizes the Christmas Day holiday.