Washington State Department of Agriculture
(WSDA)

A busy summer week would feature deliberations of a social equity work group, a WSDA hemp program webinar, WSLCB leadership updates, and the WA Impaired Driving Advisory Council (WIDAC).

WSLCB leaders heard about national and regional conferences staff had participated in along with updates on media requests, traceability, and a “strategic plan” for social equity communications.

Attendees heard about the WSDA hemp program and projects their staff were involved with, then asked about hemp testing and the possibility of Ag regulating cannabis production.

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.

Lawmakers learned about cannabinoid synthesis and potential health risks before hearing an overview on relevant cannabis policy from WSDA and WSLCB representatives.

In addition to a WSLCB board meeting, a WSU researcher would present their findings on “High-Potency Cannabis” and WSDA staff planned next steps on the hemp program.

Washington state policymakers aiming to rebuild the bulwarks of the highly regulated cannabis market prepared to take new steps to respond to chemically converted hemp cannabinoids.

The Governor shared his thoughts on the supplemental budget before signing it; the measure created two hemp task forces, a community reinvestment fund, and other cannabis-centric changes.

The Governor signed a bill which changed non-binding cannabis revenue appropriations and mandated a study of those expenditures by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee.