Observations

Dialogues about addressing social and economic equity within and through the cannabis sector continued - in some ways removed from current challenges undermining industry diversity.

The board doubled tier 1 canopy, approved proposed changes on criminal history background checks, and switched retail title certificates from an interim policy to a policy statement.

Board members voted to restart rulemaking on synthesized cannabinoids and heard directly from two advocates for the practice amongst many more otherwise opposed.

Staff described outreach to a U.S. Senator, participation in the spring meeting of a prominent cannabis organization, and planned revisions to the scope of rulemaking on synthesized cannabinoids.

In its initial public hearing, legislation to set requirements for CBD additives from outside the 502 system received mostly negative comments from those concerned it could hurt farmers and patients.

Several cannabis rulemaking projects would be advanced during the week, including reform of criminal history background checks and authority over synthesized cannabinoids.

WSLCB leadership learned about the process and timeline for agency request legislation, and the Chair called for a public presentation of the legislative agenda before the 2022 session.

Details of a board member’s discussion with state counsel on synthesized delta-9-THC led to conversation about the policy statements and agency regulatory powers beyond rulemaking.

The WSLCB Board would learn more about the subject of synthesized delta-9-THC the day before the social equity task force work group on licensing discusses the “State of the Industry.”

The board heard from concerned cannabis stakeholders about legal, health, and economic risks of failing to enforce a prohibition on the use of synthesized cannabinoids in I-502.