Washington State Office of the Governor
(WA Governor)

During the final webinar on 2024 draft request bills, WSLCB staff acknowledged one idea was likely to be shelved due to lack of support, but another would probably be moved forward.

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.

WSLCB leaders introduced two concepts for 2024 request legislation, one for medical patients to contract with licensees; another to revise limits around cannabis retail advertising.

The intention of staff to replace CCRS with a traceability system was questioned by board members, who next learned about the new staff and portfolio for the in-house research office.

A campaign focused on reducing youth cannabis use and impaired driving was getting positive results according to the program manager who presented and answered questions.

Staff went through subjects discussed during the CANNRA external stakeholder meeting, plus updates on licensing, social equity, and interest in a new traceability system.

Lawmakers were briefed on the continued evaluation of I-502, including the most recent implementation report and an overview of the 2023 report on how cannabis revenue was spent.

The operating budget that reached Governor Jay Inslee featured more than a dozen state agencies which received cannabis revenue, or were budgeted for activities related to the plant.

Several stakeholders introduced themselves and started to network around increasing the capacity of the state to produce and process hemp into construction materials.

With the end of their legislative mandate weeks away, members searched for a path forward to advise on regulation of hemp consumables after a THC regulatory bill was signed into law.