The social equity task force was scheduled to review significant legislative proposals developed by work group members, and WSDA opened its pesticide penalty regime for revision.
Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.
Monday September 13th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.
Tuesday September 14th
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 ]
- The board caucus was cancelled last week.
WA SECTF - Public Meeting
On Tuesday at 3pm PT, the Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis (WA SECTF) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- The WA SECTF was last convened on July 27th.
- On Tuesday, the task force would welcome several new members. The Washington State Commission on African American Affairs (CAAA) had not been represented on the task force since April, and HB 1443 expanded representation of licensed producers and processors, increasing membership from two to four. On August 17th, the membership changes were announced on the WA SECTF website.
- CAAA: Commissioner Dorian Waller
- Not without some controversy, it’s Cannabis Observer’s understanding that the Commission Chair recommended that former Commissioner Paula Sardinas continue her membership on the task force. The officials empowered to appoint members to the legislative task force---Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins and President of the Washington State Senate Denny Heck, the Lieutenant Governor---instead chose an active Commissioner.
- Producer: Raft Hollingsworth, Hollingsworth Cannabis Company Co-Owner
- Hollingsworth, an original appointee, was assigned to represent producers.
- Raft co-owns the Hollingsworth Cannabis Company with his sister, Joy Hollingsworth, who was hired as a WA SECTF Policy Analyst.
- Producer: Monica Martinez, The Calyx Co. Owner
- Martinez, an original appointee, was assigned to represent producers.
- Processor: Jim Makoso, Flowe Technology CEO and Lucid Lab Group Director
- Makoso had previously been appointed to the WA SECTF Technical Assistance and Mentorship Work Group.
- Processor: Micah Sherman, Raven Co-Owner and Operations Director
- Sherman had previously been appointed to the WA SECTF Licensing Work Group.
- Advisory Member: Paul Brice, Happy Trees Owner
- CAAA: Commissioner Dorian Waller
- During the meeting on Tuesday, work group leads were scheduled to present significant legislative proposals to the task force.
Wednesday September 15th
WSLCB - Board Meeting
On Wednesday at 10am PT, the bi-weekly WSLCB Board Meeting was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
- At publication time, the Observer was not aware of cannabis-specific rulemaking planned for this board meeting.
Thursday September 16th
WSDA - Webinar - Pesticide Penalties
On Thursday at 10:30am PT, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) planned to host a webinar on the Pesticide Penalties rulemaking project.
- [ Event Details, Rulemaking Project ]
- Earlier in the month, the WSDA quietly announced a reboot of a long-dormant general pesticide penalties rulemaking project. Originally opened in December 2019, Department staff refiled the CR-101 on September 1st with only minor modifications to the intent language which seeks to revise the penalty structure and increase fees for violations.
- We expect to learn more during the Thursday webinar, and a second was planned for Thursday September 23rd.
- In May 2020, the Department hosted a presentation on the original rulemaking effort.
Friday September 17th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.