A second dialogue on “Cannabis Plant Chemistry” would draw engaged participants and a Thurston County Superior Court judge would address out-of-state ownership of Washington cannabis businesses.
Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.
Monday July 19th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.
Tuesday July 20th
WSLCB - Board Caucus
On Tuesday at 10am PT, the weekly Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) Board Caucus was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
WA SECTF - Work Group - TA and Mentorship
On Tuesday at 1pm PT, the Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis Technical Assistance and Mentorship Work Group (WA SECTF - Work Group - TA and Mentorship) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- Tuesday afternoon will be the third meeting of the TA and Mentorship work group. Members first met on May 11th, then engaged with the Washington State Department of Commerce (WA Commerce) on June 8th regarding prospective grant and mentorship programs for equity applicants.
- The agenda indicated the discussion on Tuesday would center on the technical assistance grant program.
WSLCB - Deliberative Dialogue - THC - Cannabis Plant Chemistry
On Tuesday at 1pm PT, the WSLCB Deliberative Dialogue on Cannabis Plant Chemistry in support of the THC rulemaking project was scheduled to occur.
- [ Event Details, Rulemaking Project ]
- Following up on the June 3rd deliberative dialogue on the same subject, four of five panelists would return to again engage with WSLCB staff and the public.
- Panelist Amber Wise of Medicine Creek Analytics declined the invitation to renew the dialogue. Wise also contributes time and expertise as a member of the Washington State Cannabis Science Task Force Steering Committee.
- The organization of a new dialogue seems to have been prompted by rising concerns about the conversion of cannabidiol (CBD) to delta-9-tetrahyrdocannabinol (delta-9-THC), whereas the previous dialogue focused on the synthesis of delta-8-THC.
- On June 3rd, three of five prepared questions mentioned delta-8-THC specifically, although the responses could just as easily have addressed synthesized delta-9-THC. One participant asked about the conversion of CBD to delta-9-THC, and if there was “any reason why that shouldn't also be as concerning.” Policy Affairs and Outreach Director Justin Nordhorn brought up the subject at the very end of the dialogue, asking about the difference when converting CBD into delta-8-THC versus delta-9-THC as he wanted to know why the latter conversion was more difficult.
Wednesday July 21st
WSLCB - Board Meeting
On Wednesday at 10am PT, the bi-weekly WSLCB Board Meeting was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
- It’s our understanding that the board would be asked to adopt a CR-103 describing final rules on the Vitamin E Acetate rulemaking project.
JLARC - Committee Meeting
On Wednesday at 10am PT, the Washington State Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- Members will review a preliminary report on "Medical Cannabis Tax Preferences" (e.g., sales tax exemptions). In addition to a one-pager, staff put together a video summarizing the review.
- Interestingly, the auditors found that the sales tax benefit on DOH compliant products was applied to regular cannabis products 99% of the time.
- The auditors recommended continuation of the seven tax preferences for medical cannabis - and the Washington State Department of Revenue and the Washington State Department of Health “should update guidance to reflect 2019 statutory changes.”
Thursday July 22nd
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.
Friday July 23rd
Thurston County Superior Court - Hearing - Brinkmeyer v. WSLCB
On Friday at 9am PT, a Thurston County Superior Court hearing on the Brinkmeyer v. WSLCB out-of-state ownership case was scheduled to occur.
- [ Event Details, Lawsuit ]
- On Friday, the court case would receive a summary judgment at the request of the plaintiff. Judge Mary Sue Wilson would preside, a former Washington State Assistant Attorney General.
- On June 21st, Assistant Attorneys General Penny Allen and Joshua Orf-Rodriguez submitted the State’s response to the plaintiff’s request for summary judgment.
- On July 12th, the plaintiff responded. At publication time, Cannabis Observer was in the process of obtaining the latest court records.