Washington State Office of the Governor
(WA Governor)

WSLCB Director Rick Garza and Policy and Rules Manager Kathy Hoffman signed into the Alliance’s monthly webinar for 45 minutes to provide an update and answer member questions.

Compressed cannabis policymaking at WSLCB due to mandatory cost-saving furloughs and a holiday shouldn’t prevent stakeholders from suggesting changes to producer rules on Tuesday.

The Board learned more about open and planned rulemaking projects then heard an update from the Director about planned furloughs, re-entry to headquarters, and DEI efforts.

The WSLCB was set to propose new Voluntary Compliance Program rules, revisions to True Party of Interest rules, and solicit feedback on marijuana Producer rules.

The technological leap into remote meetings required by the State’s response to the pandemic continued to challenge the WSLCB’s commitment to transparency.

Agency leadership discussed the WSLCB’s emerging plans for implementation of HB 2870’s marijuana social equity program and rulemaking timelines were advanced.

Unnaturally, farmers still have to ask whether the State considers cannabis production an agricultural activity as the Governor issues a new round of emergency proclamations.

Members prepared to undertake formal rulemaking at the WSLCB’s first remote board meeting on Wednesday morning and met the agency’s new Policy and Rules Coordinators.

Cannabis-related policymaking in Washington state was set to take another step forward as the WSLCB prepared to convene its first regular board meeting since February 5th.

Resistance to the State’s approach to mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic was rising with the summer temperatures while public meeting cancellations were becoming routine.