The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) is the primary adult use cannabis regulatory authority in the State of Washington. The executive agency, which also regulates alcohol, tobacco, and vapor products in Washington state, is overseen by a three member board appointed by the Governor to six-year terms. The Board holds regular public meetings and work sessions with stakeholders, makes policy and budget decisions, and adjudicates contested license applications and enforcement actions on licensees. Board members are also responsible for hiring the agency's Director, who manages day-to-day operations.
Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
(WSLCB)
Public
Observations
WA Governor - Bill Action
(April 3, 2020) - Summary
The Governor signed the supplemental operating budget with vetoes totaling $445M in savings which impact funding for three cannabis-related items.
WSLCB - Special Board Meeting
(April 6, 2020) - Summary
The Board considered and approved emergency rulemaking claiming a specific authority to suspend licenses to enforce Governor’s Proclamations.
The Week Ahead
(April 6, 2020)
The WSLCB scheduled a Special Board Meeting for Monday afternoon to authorize and delegate summary license suspensions for enforcement of the Governor’s proclamations.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(March 31, 2020) - Summary
The Governor signed HB 2870, WSLCB’s request legislation establishing a social equity program, competitive grants, and a task force to help open a new cycle of retail licensure.
WSLCB - Special Board Meeting
(March 27, 2020) - Summary
The agency paused the Quality Control Testing rulemaking project, implemented emergency rules allowing deferred excise tax payments, and learned the status of open rulemaking efforts.
The Week Ahead
(March 30, 2020)
The WSLCB cancelled 8 out of 11 regularly scheduled public meetings in March as governance in the shadow of COVID-19 shifted to emergency rulemaking and temporary policy adjustments.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(March 25, 2020) - Summary
Seated alone in compliance with his own social distancing orders, Governor Jay Inslee signed two bills into law which expand WSLCB and DOH cannabis regulatory authorities.
The Week Ahead
(March 23, 2020)
Public meetings for cannabis-related policymaking remained uncertain at the start of another week under the pall of COVID-19, but some agencies pushed ahead with telepresence.
WA Legislature - Conference Committee Meeting - SB 6168
(March 11, 2020) - Summary
Where does all the cannabis money go? Taxes from cannabis sales were utilized for a multitude of purposes and cannabis-related policymaking was funded by the Legislature.
The Week Ahead
(March 16, 2020)
With the close of the legislative session and restrictions on public movement tightening against the spread of COVID-19, cannabis policymaking appeared set to slow if not pause altogether.