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
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(October 31, 2023) - Summary
Board members delved into survey responses detailing selected social equity applicant demographics, then themes and possible improvements from their own staff focus groups.
The Week Ahead
(October 30, 2023)
During an eerily quiet week for cannabis policymaking, WSLCB staff might decide to bring the board caucus back to life after it had been cancelled for three weeks in a row.
WSLCB - Board Meeting
(October 25, 2023) - Summary
The board approved the start of a rulemaking project on retail medical endorsements, heard a status report on social equity applicants, and impressions of an ongoing prevention summit.
The Week Ahead
(October 23, 2023)
WSLCB staff planned to ask board members to begin rulemaking efforts on Retail Medical Cannabis Endorsements and to expand the Social Equity Program as encoded in SB 5080.
WIDAC - Council Meeting
(October 12, 2023) - Traffic Safety Statewide Survey Results
A researcher presented a new WTSC survey on peoples’ behaviors and impressions of Washington state traffic, with several responses pertaining to cannabis use and driving.
WA Senate LC - Committee Meeting
(September 26, 2023) - Work Session - Biometric Age Verification
A briefing on biometric data being used for alcohol sales raised many questions for lawmakers as WSLCB staff spoke to implications of current and wider use of the technology.
WSLCB - Focus Group - Product Samples
(October 11, 2023) - Summary
Licensees gave another round of feedback to agency staff engaged in rulemaking on how to set limits and requirements for cannabis product sampling by retail staff.
The Week Ahead
(October 16, 2023)
As the WSLCB Board recovered time lost to illness, Traffic Safety Commission members would consider survey data on driving behaviors, including perceptions of “drug influenced” drivers.
WSLCB - Board Meeting
(October 11, 2023) - Summary
After a brief rulemaking update, staff detailed a revised process for reviewing petitions before presenting a batch tracking request, then heard supportive and accusatory public remarks.
WSLCB - Focus Group - Product Samples
(October 6, 2023) - Summary
Staff heard stakeholder feedback as they hoped to simplify cannabis sample rules while also improving accountability around how product samples were utilized within the sector.