In the Board’s first planning session since 2018, members looked back on past priorities and prepared to welcome a new board chair who would be appointed in “a few more weeks.”
Advocates learned about Washington's legislative process from a Legislative Information Center staffer including specific steps to track and participate virtually in the 2021 session.
The Washington State Legislature kicked off its 2021 session where home grow was already scheduled to be heard while the WSLCB and SBOH positioned to advocate for their interests.
Goals for the 2021 Washington state legislative session, which begins Monday January 11th, were articulated by WSLCB agency leadership and Cannabis Advisory Council members.
An Interpretive and Policy Statement Program was launched at WSLCB, emergency rules were extended, location compliance certificates were adopted, and citizens addressed the Board.
Board members heard legislative and rulemaking updates as well as mentions of agency coordination with social equity and prevention stakeholders - and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Though not unanimous, the task force voted to focus on anti-Black racism in their operating principles before broadly discussing the equity program and establishing three work groups.
The WSLCB Cannabis Advisory Council planned to convene for the first time in over a year, while prevention advocates prepared for the start of the 2021 legislative session.
A new cannabis-related bill was introduced over the holidays, and a few scheduled events would likely be cancelled before we welcome the new year.
A pair of rulemaking updates and a citizen request for dedicated cannabis business licensing forms were the last topics heard during the final board meeting of 2020.