JLARC members planned to hear a final report on the Dedicated Cannabis Account showing Washingtonians spent more than any other state on “Prevention, education, & treatment.”
Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.
Monday January 1st
The State of Washington recognizes the New Year’s Day holiday.
Tuesday January 2nd
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 January 3rd
WSLCB - Board Meeting
On Wednesday at 10am PT, the bi-weekly WSLCB Board Meeting was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
Thursday January 4th
JLARC - Committee Meeting
On Thursday at 10am PT, the Washington State Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) planned to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- During the November 29th JLARC meeting, staff went over how cannabis tax revenue had been spent, offered comparisons to other states, and recommended transparency improvements while fielding lawmaker questions.
- On Wednesday, members were scheduled to receive the final presentation of the report on “Appropriations and Expenditures of the Dedicated Cannabis Account.”
- The January 4th report overview, as compared to the November 29th version, clarified that spending from the Dedicated Cannabis Account (DCA) on “Prevention, education, & treatment” accounted for 9% rather than 8% of the total, whereas spending on “Admin & Enforcement, Research, Social Equity” summed to 3% rather than 4%. A comparison of the presentations showed that the total amount spent on “Prevention, education, & treatment” from the DCA from its inception was revised from $281M to $284M.
- When questioned by legislators during the November 29th meeting, JLARC staff described a wide range of prevention funding in other states, but insisted “there was nobody that had more than Washington had directed.”
- The amount transferred to the General fund was also more clearly specified as 31% rather than 30%.
- The January 4th report overview, as compared to the November 29th version, clarified that spending from the Dedicated Cannabis Account (DCA) on “Prevention, education, & treatment” accounted for 9% rather than 8% of the total, whereas spending on “Admin & Enforcement, Research, Social Equity” summed to 3% rather than 4%. A comparison of the presentations showed that the total amount spent on “Prevention, education, & treatment” from the DCA from its inception was revised from $281M to $284M.
Friday January 5th
WA Pharmacy Commission - Legislative Review
The Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (WA Pharmacy Commission) Legislative Review was cancelled.
- [ Event Details ]
- On Fridays during the regular State legislative session, Pharmacy Commission members convene to receive staff updates on relevant legislation within or adjacent to their scope of authority. Commissioners decided to cancel their initial meeting for the upcoming 2024 session which formally begins on Monday January 8th.
- In 2023, the WA Pharmacy Commission Legislative Committee cancelled 12 of 18 planned meetings and was subsequently restructured away.