A mixed bag of topics included: a new CIO, hiring a DEI Manager, presentations for officials outside Washington, online licensing applications, and “pending” producer/processor licenses.
The board gave permission to start a new rulemaking project around “THC Compounds Other than Delta-9” and heard “frustrations” of a prominent cannabis association lobbyist.
The board heard a preview of a presentation to open a broad rulemaking project regulating THC compounds other than delta-9 and denied a petition to move a retail location.
A presentation on cannabis social equity programs outside Washington state showcased the benefits of using data to qualify equity applicants and risks of relying solely on racial identities.
On Wednesday, an important rulemaking project would be started at WSLCB to determine the fate of delta-8-THC in the regulated marketplace - and potentially much more.
The day before releasing a policy statement on delta-8-THC and other derived cannabinoids, board and staff discussed their work amidst often anecdotal input from stakeholders.
At the request of WSLCB and with some hedging after hearing from stakeholders, the Pharmacy Commission affirmed a “plain language reading” of the controlled substances act definition of ‘THC’.
Policy and Rules Manager Kathy Hoffman walked the board through the past, present, and future of WSLCB regulation of cannabinoids aside from delta-9-THC in legal cannabis products.
Legislation expanding the membership and responsibilities of the social equity task force was signed into law, strengthening an influential movement in the Washington state cannabis sector.
Deliberative work characteristic of the interim between legislative sessions began in earnest this week with social equity, medical marijuana, and behavioral health events on the calendar.