Observations

Board members learned about the benefit-cost analysis of legal cannabis conducted by WSIPP researchers, including how agency staff could better collaborate on topics of mutual interest.

Attendees had many suggestions and questions for WSLCB staff regarding draft rules for medically endorsed retailers, with emphasis around expected levels of enforcement.

Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board members planned to host the principal State researcher on Initiative 502 for a “Report Review” on Tuesday.

Board members reviewed actions of the 2024 legislative session, got the status of several rulemaking projects, and heard about a petition to renew harvest dates as required labeling.

Regulators were ready to continue or initiate rulemaking processes in the week following the end of the legislative session while prevention researchers reviewed their findings.

The first cannabis bill of 2024 was signed into law before a dynamic conclusion to the session as the “high THC” legislation criss-crossed the rotunda for a last minute change which may have fiscal consequences.

All cannabis bills were funded in the operating budget; the patient excise tax exemption bill was passed; a bill action was scheduled by the Governor; and lawmakers would conclude the 2024 regular session.

The supplemental operating budget’s final form would be released Wednesday morning as time ran short for the two remaining cannabis-related bills awaiting concurrence votes ahead of sine die on Thursday.

Senators made changes to data gathering requirements in a bill regulating “high THC” products before almost unanimously passing the measure and returning it to the House for concurrence.

The cannabis waste bill was passed by the Legislature; the supplemental operating budget was nearing completion; and two cannabis-related bills awaited concurrence votes in the last three days of session.