Concerns about youth substance use and high THC products predominated agendas at multiple agencies, but perspectives of public health and prevention interests remained hidden.
Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.
Monday July 8th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.
Tuesday July 9th
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 ]
- During a very busy caucus on June 25th, board members decided to cancel the Tuesday July 2nd caucus and July 3rd board meeting.
- According to the WSLCB Research Program website about the Healthy Youth Survey (HYS, “a biennial, cross-sectional survey of youth in Washington”), agency research staff “will be presenting at an upcoming Board Caucus meeting on July 9, 2024.”
- Research Specialist Tyler Watson joined the WSLCB in May and would likely lead the presentation. He was formerly employed as the Washington State Health Care Authority (WA HCA) Prevention Research and Evaluation Manager where administration of the HYS was one of his primary responsibilities.
- In one of his final presentations for WA HCA in March, the WA HCA Prevention Research Subcommittee heard the first official presentation of results from the 2023 Healthy Youth Survey. Watson presented the HYS 2021 results to the WSLCB board in May 2022 which showed mostly positive signs around cannabis, but a three year gap disrupted comparison of trends with past results.
- In September 2020, Watson helped lead a presentation by Washington substance use prevention officials on “Impacts of Marijuana Legalization in Washington” which provided insight into their perspectives and interpretations of data used to buttress particular positions.
Wednesday July 10th
WSLCB - Focus Group - High THC Products
On Wednesday at 9am PT, WSLCB staff planned to host a second focus group on high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis products.
- [ Event Details ]
- On Wednesday June 26th, WSLCB Public Health Education Liaison Kristen Haley organized a webinar of “Cannabis Industry leaders and representatives for Cannabis Industry Associations” to solicit their perspectives on “the topic of high THC.” Participants had so much feedback on education and policy changes related to high THC cannabis products that officials considered and scheduled an additional meeting.
- During the first focus group, Haley said she intentionally structured separate conversations with public health and cannabis sector interests to “build the trust, build that security between these two partners, and then bring partners together who might feel more comfortable talking with one another.” She hoped the separate discussion would allow industry representatives to “finish a thought without feeling like you're under attack by preventionists” (audio - 5m).
- WSLCB staff have not publicly advertised either the public health or cannabis sector focus groups. While Cannabis Observer was encouraged to record and publish records associated with the industry webinar—bringing transparency to one set of perspectives on a complex subject—we have also requested and will publish records associated with the public health focus groups.
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 ]
- During the last EMT meeting on June 12th, legislative ideas for 2025, lengthy cannabis label approvals, updates from CANNRA, traceability, and a reminder about canopy were all brought up by staff or board members.
Thursday July 11th
WIDAC - Council Meeting
On Thursday at 9am PT, the Washington Impaired Driving Advisory Committee (WIDAC) planned to convene their quarterly meeting.
- [ Event Details ]
- Through the WIDAC formed in 2009, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) hears from agencies and organizations working to reduce impaired driving, and helps coordinate their work. The WIDAC is composed of various agency representatives, an expanded group of advisory members, and agency staff. Stakeholders include representatives from the state highway safety office, law enforcement, prosecution, adjudication and probation, driver licensing, treatment/rehabilitation, ignition interlock programs, data and traffic records, public health, and communication.
- The agenda indicated WSLCB Public Health Education Liaison Kristen Haley was scheduled to present for fifteen minutes on “High THC Concentration” - the day after her second focus group on the subject with cannabis sector representatives.
Friday July 12th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.