Observations

The public had a chance to hear from the new chair before the Board approved the 18th tribal cannabis compact in Washington state and received a rulemaking update.

Director Rick Garza discussed agency efforts to understand delta-8-THC and develop policy following increased momentum towards restriction by other states amid federal uncertainty.

Several cannabis bills portend some controversy on their way through the next cutoff on Friday, where a mysterious work session on “the future of the cannabis industry” awaited.

Thoughtful public testimony and an amendment tying in ‘hemp’ encouraged senators to take a closer look at a bill to change state law mentions of ‘marijuana’ to ‘cannabis’.

Testimony on legislation establishing a limited excise tax exemption for medical cannabis patients registered with the State painted an encouraging picture of potential impacts for patients and the regulated industry.

The second policy committee hearing on legislation extending arrest protections to all authorized medical cannabis patients elicited similar testimony and substantial sign in support.

WSLCB leadership presented a draft road map outlining a new approach to cannabis licensee compliance reporting in the state which incorporated many work group recommendations.

There’s a new Board Chair at WSLCB, policy committee public hearings on 5 bills plus a prevention work session in the Legislature, and a WSDA webinar on the hemp program.

Following passage by the House, legislation to modify and expand the State social equity in cannabis task force and program was heard by senators for the first time.

Legislation creating a voluntary hemp processor certification was unanimously passed by the Senate after adopting a striking amendment empowering WSLCB to test hemp found on licensed premises.