WACA - Symposium - 2023 - Legislative Panel (December 11, 2023) - Summary
Organization leaders and attendees heard from two prominent legislators on long-running cannabis topics and expected priorities for the 2024 regular legislative session.
Organization leaders and attendees heard from two prominent legislators on long-running cannabis topics and expected priorities for the 2024 regular legislative session.
DOH staff heard stories and suggestions from patients, advocates, and other stakeholders on how to improve affordability, access, and understanding of medically compliant cannabis products.
Lab representatives and other stakeholders pointed out discrepancies, redundancies, and costs related to proposed lab quality standards leading staff to ultimately choose to rework the rules.
Updates to a more than five-year-old tribal compact, a rulemaking petition, and general public comments were on the agenda for the final board meeting of 2023.
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.”
Staff heard from a few attendees with lab experience about potential changes in rule from SB 5367, focusing on definitions for THC content and synthesized cannabinoids.
The post holiday calm before the 2024 legislative session allowed for the Department of Agriculture to host a public hearing on proposed rules for cannabis lab quality standards.
Agency leaders went over what they anticipated dealing with in 2024, including “high-THC” regulations, lab accreditation authority, medically endorsed stores, and social equity applicants.
WSLCB staff sought feedback as they struggled to implement “the THC bill” and prepared a recommendation to the board on a rulemaking petition to extend COA expiration dates.
Members had difficulty offering guidance on THC regulation due to wording in a 2023 law but considered other issues the group could make meaningful contributions towards in the future.