Washington State Department of Agriculture
(WSDA)

While the WSLCB Board cancelled all of their meetings for the week, staff would host two focus groups, WSDA prepared a public hearing, and the obscure WIDAC quarterly meeting was up.

In looking at rulemaking implementing definitional and retail medical endorsement changes, various parties were interested in impacts for producing and selling hemp consumables in 502.

Staff looked ahead to 2024 legislative implementation and outstanding cannabis projects, including a recently submitted petition to ban disposable vapor cartridges.

Officials outlined a transition period to take on accreditation authority in parallel with revising standards, including method approval and when enforcement of new standards would start.

The cannabis waste bill was lined up for Inslee’s signature, rules on THC legislation from 2023 were ready for review, and WSDA staff kept their eyes on the calendar for lab accreditation.

Regulators were ready to continue or initiate rulemaking processes in the week following the end of the legislative session while prevention researchers reviewed their findings.

All cannabis bills were funded in the operating budget; the patient excise tax exemption bill was passed; a bill action was scheduled by the Governor; and lawmakers would conclude the 2024 regular session.

The WSDA testing lab accreditation bill was passed and two more cannabis bills were calendared for floor activity as the House of Origin Cutoff loomed on Friday.

All three cannabis bills at risk were scheduled for executive sessions before the fiscal committee cutoff on Monday, although two carried potential amendments which could alter their outcomes.

Testimony on cannabis commission legislation showed an industry divided over benefits and costs, plus the committee recommended bills on cannabis waste and THC-based taxation.