Washington State Legislature
(WA Legislature)

Legislative, licensing, communications, and director updates contributed to the discussion amongst WSLCB leadership about activity towards social equity in cannabis.

Staff gathered input on draft conceptual rules for the agency social equity program which included many criticisms of the proposal - and heard opposition to the underlying equity project.

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.

Licensees, legislators, and lobbyists talked about a wave of retail robberies which had increased in frequency in 2022, examining banking, training, and other possible solutions and mitigations.

Legislative leaders of cannabis policy committees talked about a few successes in 2022, and the more numerous failures around medical cannabis, equity, and cannabinoid regulation bills.

State leaders planned to publicly engage with selected cannabis retail stakeholders to draw attention to the need for federal banking reform to help mitigate robberies before more people were hurt.

After a week of multiple retail robberies resulting in deaths of staff and suspects, the board talked about the need for federal action and scheduled a roundtable talk with stakeholders.

WSLCB staff would accept feedback on the upcoming social equity retail licensure window and the Cannabis Alliance planned to host leading legislators to discuss what happened in 2022.

The caucus meeting touched on existing rulemaking; a proposal to label cannabis vapor cartridges; the highs and lows of the legislative session; and a newly appointed board member.