Legislators would hear about a study into “whether current levels of cannabis production align with market demand and capacity” before a WSLCB work group discussed cannabis education.
Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.
Monday September 18th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.
Tuesday September 19th
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 ]
Wednesday September 20th
JLARC - Committee Meeting
On Wednesday at 10am PT, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- On May 1st, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed SB 5080, "Expanding and improving the social equity in cannabis program," the third bill passed since 2020 addressing social equity among cannabis license holders in Washington. The bill report summarized impacts of the final version of the proposal, which modified aspects of the social equity program as well as wider cannabis licensure practices. One provision tasked staff at the Washington State Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to determine “whether current levels of cannabis production align with market demand and capacity, including the impact of any additional cannabis producer licenses granted under the legislation.” Their report was due by June 30, 2025.
- On Wednesday, JLARC staff planned to take their first public action in relation to the legislative mandate by presenting their proposed framing questions for the cannabis market study to JLARC committee members. Members may or may not offer clarifying questions or suggestions for refining the study.
- Meanwhile, the formal beginning of implementation of SB 5080 at WSLCB continued to be delayed. While internal and external deliberations had been on-going, a CR-101 had yet to be filed at publication time.
- The day after the Governor signed SB 5080, former Policy and Rules Manager Kathy Hoffman indicated she would become the first agency Research Manager, yet implementation of SB 5080 would be a project she would maintain responsibility for even as a “significant amount” of rulemaking was expected relating to the measure.
- In June, Hoffman expected rulemaking would be commenced “towards the end of July, [or] early August.”
- A video published by agency Communications staff in July encouraged participants to participate in the rulemaking process which still had yet to be initiated.
- On August 9th, Director of Licensing Becky Smith discussed agency outreach to the Washington State Office of Equity, the Washington State Department of Commerce (WA Commerce), and the Washington State Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises in relation to the rulemaking.
- On August 29th, Policy and Rules Manager Cassidy West said rulemaking would be initiated in “mid-to-late September.”
- On Wednesday September 13th, WSLCB Social Equity Program Manager Aaron Washington told board members staff had "nearly 500 applicants to notify over the next two weeks" in the first update since all applications for the initial social equity program retail cohort had been vetted by a third party vendor.
- Later in the day on September 13th, Director of Policy and External Affairs Justin Nordhorn specified a further revised start date into October at the same time that he announced that Hoffman—ostensibly in charge of the rulemaking project—had accepted a role at the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries beginning in October.
- The day after the Governor signed SB 5080, former Policy and Rules Manager Kathy Hoffman indicated she would become the first agency Research Manager, yet implementation of SB 5080 would be a project she would maintain responsibility for even as a “significant amount” of rulemaking was expected relating to the measure.
Thursday September 21st
WSLCB - Work Group - Public Education - Meeting
On Thursday at 3:30pm PT, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board Public Education Work Group (WSLCB - Work Group - Public Education) was scheduled to convene a second meeting.
- [ Event Details ]
- At the first meeting on September 11th, Public Health Education Liaison Mary Segawa welcomed the group members:
- Beatriz Carlini, University of Washington Addictions, Drug, and Alcohol Institute (UW ADAI) Cannabis Education and Research Program (CERP) Director
- Melody McKee, UW Harborview Behavioral Health Institute Training, Workforce and Policy Innovation Center Program Director, who also had experience with substance treatment and recovery.
- Bailey Hirschburg, a cannabis policy consultant who represented consumer interests as a lobbyist for Washington NORML and on the WSLCB Cannabis Advisory Council, as well as being a Citizen Observer.
- The trio offered suggestions to Segawa on a working draft titled ‘cannabis basics’ dealing with some definitions; product types; understanding mandatory labeling and test results; distinguishing between cannabis from the licensed system and hemp derived-THC items; and arguments in favor of buying cannabis through Washington State’s licensed system. Carlini and Hirschburg offered most of the suggested revisions, with McKee listening and giving occasional input.
- The Thursday meeting would center on feedback for another working draft on ‘consumer safety.’
Friday September 22nd
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.