Observations

Participants offered feedback to DOH staff questions related to their medical cannabis testing requirements and then posed questions of their own to officials.

WSLCB board members may meet in caucus on Tuesday during an otherwise quiet summer week for cannabis policymaking in Washington state.

After opening the week with guidance on the medical excise tax exemption, WSLCB board members planned to advance three rulemaking efforts with language proposed by staff.

The latest Healthy Youth Survey responses showed a downward trend in underage cannabis use, but board members were troubled by the enduring popularity of vapor products.

Board members heard complaints about curtailing public speaking time among concerns over agency rulemaking inaction and changes to the social equity program scoring rubric.

A sign of the summer doldrums, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled for the week.

Staff provided updates on rulemaking projects and previewed presentations set for the following day on THC serving size, lab authority, and a patient excise tax exemption.

A WSLCB staffer briefed on the popularity and health risks of high THC products as well as outreach to interested parties in a search for policy alternatives.

It’s a busy week with next steps on the social equity program, substantial rulemaking, medical cannabis testing, high THC products, along with cannabis consumer and budtender education.

Staff and attendees traded ideas for collaboration around messaging and regulation of high THC items, along with developing more respectful dialogue between industry and public health groups.