Washington State Legislature
(WA Legislature)

Several cannabis retailers told lawmakers licensed businesses were diverting products to illegal cannabis markets while calling for enforcement, licensing, and reporting changes.

The Washington State Legislature was scheduled to convene in one week, and pre-session jitters were amplified by a questionable CCRS update coming in for a landing on the same day.

Staff said goodbye to two retiring division heads and heard several critical public comments before the chair gave a lengthy defense of the agency's continued work on social equity.

Previews of bills to expect during the upcoming Washington State legislative session would likely be shared at events organized by WACA, the Hemp in Food Task Force, and WSLCB.

A cannabis regulatory expert spoke to the committee about cannabinoid regulation, including research, media reporting, federal statistics, and legislative efforts outside of Washington state.

A WA SECTF panel provided the committee an explanation of how they reached their final recommendations for social equity in cannabis before describing them and taking questions.

A WSLCB briefing on cannabinoid regulation charted activity leading up to 2023 request legislation including an investigation of a licensee engaged in synthesizing cannabinoids.

WSLCB board members would meet two new Policy and Rules Coordinators before the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force convened to approve their final recommendations.

The principal researcher responsible for organizing the high THC cannabis symposium and delivering the policy report presented their findings from surveys of recruited stakeholders.

WSLCB, JLARC, and the Attorney General would convene on cannabis related topics as Washington State legislators met with guests and officials to prepare for the 2023 session.