WSLCB staff planned to accept comments on potential agency request legislation through the week which would end with a March for Homegrow in downtown Seattle.
Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.
Monday August 21st
WSLCB - Webinar - Agency Request Legislation Proposals
On Monday at 5:30pm PT, the last of three Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) webinars seeking feedback on potential 2024 agency request legislation proposals was scheduled to occur.
- [ Event Details ]
- On Friday August 4th, WSLCB Director of Policy and External Affairs Justin Nordhorn emailed an undisclosed list of recipients three prospective draft agency request legislation proposals seeking feedback. One proposal concerned alcohol licensees and two were specific to the cannabis sector:
- Agency staff planned to host “three question and answer sessions” via webinar to gather feedback and offer an opportunity for discussion.
- During the first webinar on Friday August 11th, WSLCB staff reiterated that these were preliminary concepts for potential agency request legislation and it was unclear whether legislation would actually be pursued.
- During the second webinar on Thursday August 17th, staff received more input on how draft agency request bills on contract growing for patients and advertising changes might potentially impact patients, businesses, and the cannabis market.
- After the third webinar on Monday evening, Nordhorn indicated staff would be taking written comments through Rules@lcb.wa.gov until Friday August 25th.
Tuesday August 22nd
WSLCB - Board Caucus
On Tuesday at 10am PT, the weekly Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) Board Caucus was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
Wednesday August 23rd
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.
Thursday August 24th
WA Pharmacy Commission - Public Meeting
On Thursday at 9am PT, the Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (WA Pharmacy Commission) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- In addition to “old” and “new business,” the agenda indicated Commissioners would also discuss “Possible Future Legislative Ask: Name Change.”
Friday August 25th
WA Pharmacy Commission - Public Meeting
On Friday at 9am PT, the Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (WA Pharmacy Commission) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- On the second day of their lengthy semi-regular public meetings, Commissioners were scheduled to hear a “Presentation on Partner Commissions” as well as a review of the “DOH Legislative Process.”
- The WA Pharmacy Commission is situated within the Washington State Department of Health (DOH).
Saturday August 26th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.
Sunday August 27th
The Cannabis Alliance - March for Homegrow - 2023
On Sunday at 12pm PT, the Cannabis Alliance planned to host a March for Homegrow in Seattle.
- [ Event Details ]
- As indicated on the event announcement, “The purpose of this march is to raise awareness among Washingtonians that Homegrow is still illegal without a medical authorization. Not only is it illegal, it is a Class C Felony!”
- When voters passed Initiative 502 in 2012, there was no provision for adults to cultivate any plants for personal consumption. That same year, Colorado Amendment 64 was passed and allowed those 21 and older to grow three plants. Since that time, allowing limited home cultivation has become the predominant policy in legal cannabis states, with only Illinois and New Jersey not allowing any recreational home grows.
- With legislation as far backas 2015, the last home grow bill before the Washington State Legislature was HB 1614, “Concerning the home cultivation of cannabis.”
- During the 2023 session, HB 1614 was heard and advanced by the Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee (WA House RSG), then heard and appeared poised to be advanced on Friday February 24th in the Washington State House Appropriations Committee (WA House APP). After a long day of executive activity, the legislation was positioned to lead the final group of bills over the finish line, but Chair Timm Ormsby—a co-sponsor of the legislation—returned from caucus to report the bill had been “removed from consideration” (audio < 1m, video).
- On Saturday, several speakers were scheduled to provide remarks at the march including Representative Shelley Kloba, a Co-Chair of the WA House RSG and the prime sponsor of HB 1614.
- Representing Washington NORML, Citizen Observer Bailey Hirschburg was also scheduled to speak.