Observations

The Board discussed agency and industry proposals for social equity programs as well as the latest news about vaping-related illnesses and deaths.

A new Traceability Data Sharing Agreement Work Group convenes, the lege asks for a marijuana update, and the Board confronts an emergent public health crisis attributed to vaping.

The Board denied a petition for rulemaking from a transporter and reacted to federal warnings about correlated health impacts attributed to vaping.

Details on the WSLCB’s social equity and Tier 1 vertical integration bills; labs; traceability; the Cannabis Potency Tax Work Group; and legislator interest in advertising loopholes.

Feedback on potential agency request legislation for social equity, smaller producers, and medical cannabis is due no later than Thursday September 4th.

The Washington State Department of Ecology launched the Cannabis Science Task Force to assist in the methodical migration of authority for testing lab accreditation from the WSLCB.

“Rumors” of WSLCB plans to help smaller operators came to light along with coverage alleging burglaries of licensees could be planned with public information published by the agency.

The legislature asked the agency to explore “varying the marijuana excise tax rate based on product potency” and will be assisted by a broad spectrum of voices and BOTEC Analysis.

Proposed revisions to cannabis penalties will likely be shared this week in addition to regularly scheduled agency meetings.

Retailers gained a 6-month extension to their deadline enabling sales of cannabis products in formerly-compliant packaging through January 1, 2021.