Observations

Members prepared to approve the 21st tribal cannabis compact and heard the status of 2023 agency request legislation the same day WSLCB officers led raids on two cannabis markets.

After a critical briefing was postponed, task force members offered high-level updates from two work groups and reiterated a need to collect appropriate data to produce a timely report.

Opinions differed on an ordinance requiring a “cannabis needs assessment” on industry equity, but other measures on city equity licenses and worker retention were less controversial.

The Seattle City Council could amend and adopt three social equity and worker ordinances after WSLCB board members began reckoning with the covert actions of their Enforcement division.

After opening two rulemaking projects and accepting four of five petitions for cannabis rulemaking, board members then heard complaints and compliments in public comment.

Members learned about contemporary cannabinoid research from a UW official then defined and prioritized work group focus areas for reporting back to the full task force.

Work group members organized a presentation on the policy history and state arrest data related to residential home grows before drafting a recommendation to the task force.

WSLCB board members had a full slate of planned and requested rulemaking to initiate or deny just prior to the fourth meeting of the Washington State Hemp in Food Task Force.

The social equity task force was scheduled to consider recommendations from two work groups and take positions on WSLCB draft legislation - but would not publicly discuss changes to DIAs.

Agency leaders talked about progress towards a social equity program, Canadian research on cannabis use and access, and various outreach engagements.