Washington State Office of the Governor
(WA Governor)

Agency leaders met the new Director of Legislative Relations then heard reports on their legislative agenda, social equity, medical endorsements, hiring, work groups, and CCRS.

A conversation with the author of the state’s legalization initiative provided history and context around the first decade of WSLCB policymaking, along with insights for the next.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at WSLCB were discussed along with the budding social equity program, related community engagement efforts, and request legislation for 2023.

Members got an extensive review of hemp in food policies in other states, learned five principles regulators wanted recommendations to prioritize, and debated scheduling their next meeting.

WSLCB leaders reviewed progress on the cannabis reporting system, agency request legislation, and enforcement data showing increased pesticide complaints and fewer AVN hearings.

An expert briefing on social equity programs was a “depressing" preview of challenges any effort to distinguish applicants by race-based criteria would likely face before a “hostile” federal judiciary.

A “pause” on canopy enforcement was reviewed as well as rulemaking projects and upcoming rulemaking petitions before closing with a call for optimism about federal banking reform.

A group of conference attendees talked about enforcement practices, licensing changes, the incipient social equity program, and rulemaking challenges with WSLCB leaders.

The locus of cannabis policymaking in Washington state would temporarily shift to Walla Walla as an influential trade association convened legislators and regulators to confer and commingle.

Board members adopted revisions to pesticide action level rules, planned to begin “hybrid” in-person and virtual events the following week, and heard public comments on retail licensing.