Washington State Department of Agriculture
(WSDA)

The conversation started off with details on how WSLCB officers were enforcing hemp product restrictions, rulemaking updates, then a last minute review of agency request bill topics.

After staff explained potential rule changes on sales of cannabis waste, participants gave input on how to reduce disposal costs and the wider environmental impacts from the market.

A flurry of petitions and rulemaking projects would move ahead with public hearings and presentations to board members in the coming months according to WSLCB staff.

A full week of policymaking at WSLCB would be followed by an industry attempt to bridge gaps within the cannabis community caused by inequitable federal treatment of marijuana and hemp.

Three sets of proposed rule language related to payment flexibility, the social equity program, and THC regulation were all given the green light by board members.

Participants offered feedback to DOH staff questions related to their medical cannabis testing requirements and then posed questions of their own to officials.

Board members heard complaints about curtailing public speaking time among concerns over agency rulemaking inaction and changes to the social equity program scoring rubric.

Staff provided updates on rulemaking projects and previewed presentations set for the following day on THC serving size, lab authority, and a patient excise tax exemption.

The board was presented with a rulemaking petition on packaging and three on social equity license mobility; they approved updates for medical cannabis endorsements and heard public comments.

State interest in better cannabis education for budtenders and consumers came up when officials briefed board members on a survey conducted between 2023 and 2024.