As task force members and agency staff condensed their findings into legislative reports, the WSLCB policy team prepared to form a new work group on “Cannabinoid Science.”
Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.
Monday October 24th
WSLCB - Work Group - Cannabinoid Science - Applications Due
On Monday at 5pm PT, applications for membership on the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) Cannabinoid Science Work Group (CSWG) were due.
- [ Announcement ]
- On October 3rd, WSLCB staff announced the formation of a new work group “of experts to have regular dialogue on the rapidly changing issues related to cannabinoids.” The charter for the group indicated its objective would be “to collaboratively and transparently explore and build foundational understanding” of the plant Cannabis “as well as synthetic equivalents of the substances contained in the plant.”
- Reflecting an increased formality, the announcement and charter specified that members would be recruited to occupy particular roles in the work group and must submit an application by close of business on Monday to be considered:
- “An expert in pharmacology;
- An expert in toxicology;
- An expert with regulatory affairs experience in nutraceutical, pharmaceuticals, or dietary supplements;
- An expert in organic chemistry;
- An expert in cannabis research; and
- An expert in cannabis product testing.”
- The charter explained that the advisory body would convene “at least once every other month…for one year beginning November 2022.” The group would be chaired by Policy and Rules Manager Kathy Hoffman who “bears the responsibility for bringing all CSWG recommendations, reports, etc. to the Board, interested legislators, and others.”
- Cannabis Observer confirmed that meetings of the work group would be open to the public and recording would be permitted.
Tuesday October 25th
WSLCB - Board Caucus
On Tuesday at 10am PT, the weekly WSLCB Board Caucus was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
WA HCA - DBHR Listening Session
On Tuesday at 1:30pm PT, the monthly Washington State Health Care Authority (WA HCA) Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) Behavioral Health Service Provider Listening Session was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
Wednesday October 26th
WSLCB - Board Meeting
On Wednesday at 10am PT, the bi-weekly WSLCB Board Meeting was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
WA Hemp in Food Task Force - Meeting
On Wednesday at 1pm PT, the Washington State Hemp in Food Task Force (WA Hemp in Food Task Force) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- The task force last convened on Wednesday October 19th to review work group progress and collaboratively edit draft recommendations which they'll be wrapping up this week. Verda Bio CEO Jessica Tonani shared a slide which summarizes where the task force is headed with regards to a definition of 'hemp extract' which, along with a ‘Class A’ / ‘Class B’ Cannabinoid definition, would establish a dividing line proscribing the scope of products confined to the 502 market.
- The task force recommendations regarding allowance of hemp cannabinoids in foods, beverages, and dietary supplements are due to Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) staff by Monday October 31st. A draft of the legislative report would be composed, distributed to task force members, and scheduled for review at a follow up meeting tentatively scheduled for November 16th. The final report remained due to the legislature by December 1st.
- Early on, WSDA staff declared the department would not be putting forward agency request legislation on this subject. It remained up to hemp and/or cannabis advocates to organize legislation on this topic and respond to potentially related WSLCB request legislation on Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Regulation.
WA SECTF - Public Meeting
On Wednesday at a time TBD, the Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis (WA SECTF) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- The WA SECTF last convened on August 23rd.
- At publication time, the agenda for the October 26th meeting had not been published.
Thursday October 27th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.
Friday October 28th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.