Washington State Department of Agriculture
(WSDA)

WSLCB staff planned to delay action on three rulemaking projects before being publicly called to account for a follow-up State performance audit on cannabis traceability and enforcement.

Over a year into his role at WSLCB, Director Will Lukela was interviewed for an hour about regulating the Washington state cannabis market, eliciting his perspective on critical issues.

A long running rulemaking project got fresh feedback on a draft from those in the medical cannabis sector, but staff were no closer to being able to forecast completion of their work.

An organic-equivalent standard remained elusive, but a WSDA official and WSU researcher offered ideas regarding hemp and cannabis regulation before responding to attendee comments.

Representatives of WSLCB and the Department of Ecology briefed the committee about ongoing research and cleanup of legacy pesticide soil contamination in central Washington.

Board members adopted final rules for THC regulation, hosted a public hearing on cannabis product samples, and started a project on Employee Stock Ownership Plans.

Staff provided rulemaking updates and reviewed actions set for the next day including THC regulation, identification reform, product samples, and a new type of employee benefit plan.

The WSDA Pesticide Advisory Board would discuss the Endangered Species Act on Monday before a full week of scheduled rulemaking and leadership updates at the WSLCB.

WSLCB leaders reviewed how a patient excise tax exemption was being implemented, their ambitions for a new traceability system, and the processes for cannabis testing and analysis.

Agency leaders would brief lawmakers on topics like traceability, changes may be offered for social equity and THC rulemaking projects, plus public health outreach and media interest in cannabis labs.