WSLCB - Board Caucus (September 29, 2020) - Initial Update
During a characteristically brief caucus, members were prepared for formal rulemaking at the following day’s board meeting and evinced the agency’s focus on social equity in October.
During a characteristically brief caucus, members were prepared for formal rulemaking at the following day’s board meeting and evinced the agency’s focus on social equity in October.
Amidst ten meetings of potential interest, the week ahead would reveal cannabis policymaking intentions at the legislature, the WSLCB, and substance use prevention organizations.
Committee members learned about cannabis-related research from academics affiliated with the University of Washington Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute (UW ADAI) and heard their concerns about concentrated cannabinoid products.
Lawmakers learned about the cannabis-related work of academics affiliated with the Collaboration on Cannabis Policy, Research, and Outreach (CCPRO) at Washington State University (WSU) including studies on rodent brain development and human cannabis use during and after pregnancy.
House lawmakers heard invited testimony on “Cannabis potency policy considerations” from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB), legislative staff, and two cannabis trade groups.
Director Rick Garza and Enforcement Chief Justin Nordhorn brought WSLCB’s Executive Management Team (EMT) up to speed on the agency’s enforcement reforms and responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Board Chair Jane Rushford asked about the status of the legislatively mandated task force on cannabis odor which had received scant updates from WSLCB staff since it was created.
WSLCB Director of Legislative Relations Chris Thompson provided a briefing to the agency’s Executive Management Team (EMT) on staff participation in two fall work sessions hosted by the Legislature’s primary cannabis policy committees.
A week more notable for cancellations would still include a meetup of third-party software integrators augmenting Washington state’s regulated marketplace despite Akerna.
Director Rick Garza noted that the Cannabis Regulators Association had been formed with officials from 17 member states.