WSLCB leadership would likely review draft agency request bills on “THC Regulation,” “Social Equity,” and “Subpoena Authority” while home grow was on the agenda at the social equity task force.
Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.
Monday August 8th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.
Tuesday August 9th
WSLCB - Board Caucus
The weekly Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) Board Caucus was cancelled.
- [ Event Details ]
- During the August 2nd caucus meeting, Board Member Ollie Garrett indicated she would be out of the office this week (audio - <1m).
WA SECTF - Work Group - Non-Violent Offense Policy and Home Grow - Public Meeting
On Tuesday at 3pm PT, the Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis Non-Violent Offense Policy and Home Grow Work Group (WA SECTF - Work Group - Non-Violent Offense Policy and Home Grow) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- Work group members met for the first time on July 11th to contemplate how to improve criminal history checks for social equity applicants and prepare to advise regulators to disregard drug offenses broadly.
- On Tuesday, members would address home grow generally as well as the “Social Equity Impact of Altering Residential Cannabis Agriculture.” Before closing, members would review draft recommendations gathered from their first meeting.
- The full task force was next scheduled to meet on August 23rd.
Wednesday August 10th
WSLCB - Executive Management Team
On Wednesday at 1:30pm PT, the three-member Board and agency leadership were scheduled to convene their monthly WSLCB Executive Management Team (EMT) meeting.
- [ Event Details ]
- The EMT meeting in July was cancelled but not rescheduled like the prior month. Previously a weekly event that was frequently cancelled, EMT meetings were narrowed to a single monthly event on second Wednesdays in 2021.
- Director of Legislative Relations Chris Thompson is a frequent attendee of EMT meetings and may provide an update on draft agency request legislation on “THC Regulation,” “Social Equity,” and “Subpoena Authority” which he published for selected stakeholders on August 4th.
- THC Regulation - Clear of any mention of the term “impairing”, agency staff sought to revise their suggestions for ways to fundamentally restructure cannabis law in Washington state. The draft included a lot of changes and suggested new approaches.
- Social Equity - This draft bill included ideas originating from agency staff and deliberations of the Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis (WA SECTF) to further equity movement in the cannabis sector. The language would increase retail allotments for social equity licensees based on new census data.
- Subpoena Authority - Seeking a sort of parity of authorities, the potential bill would grant WSLCB staff "express authority to request necessary documents for financial investigations related to cannabis license ownership and true party of interest integrity.” These powers would also assist with “administrative investigations" and were requested in part because “Issuance of subpoenas is a highly useful tool in the investigation of underground economy activity.”
- Thompson sent these potential bills in draft form to an undisclosed email list explicitly seeking “your feedback, suggestions, or any comments you may have” by August 25th, giving three weeks to respond. Contact information may be found in the linked email.
Thursday August 11th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.
Friday August 12th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.