WSLCB staff planned to delay action on three rulemaking projects before being publicly called to account for a follow-up State performance audit on cannabis traceability and enforcement.
Over a year into his role at WSLCB, Director Will Lukela was interviewed for an hour about regulating the Washington state cannabis market, eliciting his perspective on critical issues.
On Tuesday, WSLCB Enforcement and Education staff would provide an overview of their legislatively mandated Education Program, which may be a model for other jurisdictions.
Newly proposed social equity rules changed the application windows, scoring rubric, and title certificate holder privileges, but citizens raised concerns over WSLCB bias and transparency.
A long running rulemaking project got fresh feedback on a draft from those in the medical cannabis sector, but staff were no closer to being able to forecast completion of their work.
WSLCB staff would take another pass at revising the social equity program, but closed and obscure proceedings hinted at seismic shifts between regulators and the cannabis sector.
A panel from the State Patrol reviewed their work supporting local law enforcement to identify and undermine criminal organizations growing cannabis in Washington.
An organic-equivalent standard remained elusive, but a WSDA official and WSU researcher offered ideas regarding hemp and cannabis regulation before responding to attendee comments.
A selection of events reflecting the diversity and complexity of the Cannabis sativa plant were scheduled by the WSLCB, WSU, WTSC, DOH, and Cannabis Alliance during the week.
Representatives of WSLCB and the Department of Ecology briefed the committee about ongoing research and cleanup of legacy pesticide soil contamination in central Washington.