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
- WSLCB - Alcohol Advisory Council
- WSLCB - Board Caucus
- WSLCB - Board Meeting
- WSLCB - Cannabis Advisory Council
- WSLCB - COVID - Incident Command
- WSLCB - COVID - Legal/Policy/Rules Meeting
- WSLCB - Deliberative Dialogue
- WSLCB - Engagement
- WSLCB - Engagement - BIPOC
- WSLCB - Executive Management Team
- WSLCB - Focus Group
- WSLCB - Integrator Work Session
- WSLCB - Internal
- WSLCB - Listen and Learn Forum
- WSLCB - Special Board Caucus
- WSLCB - Special Board Meeting
- WSLCB - Traceability Advisory Committee
- WSLCB - Tribal Advisory Council
- WSLCB - Webinar
- WSLCB - Work Group - Cannabis Penalties
- WSLCB - Work Group - Cannabis Potency Tax
- WSLCB - Work Group - Healthy Youth Survey
- WSLCB - Work Group - Traceability 2.0
- WSLCB - Work Group - True Party of Interest
- WSLCB - Work Group - Voluntary Compliance Program
- WSLCB - World Cafe
Structural Relationships
-
Washington State Office of the Governor
(WA Governor) -
Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
(WSLCB) -
Washington State Task Force on Marijuana OdorInactive
(WA Task Force on Marijuana Odor) -
WSLCB Cannabinoid Science Work GroupInactive
(WSLCB - Work Group - Cannabinoid Science) -
WSLCB Quality Control Standards Work Group
(WSLCB - Work Group - QC Standards)
Information Set
-
WSLCB - Active Rulemaking Projects
[ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Employee Stock Ownership Plans - Rulemaking Project (October 9, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Identification Reform - Rulemaking Project (October 9, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Lab Authority Transfer - Rulemaking Project (July 17, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Minors on Wholesale Licensed Premises - Rulemaking Project (February 28, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Product Samples - Rulemaking Project (March 1, 2023) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - SB 5080 Implementation - Rulemaking Project (November 8, 2023) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - SB 5367 Implementation - Rulemaking Project (June 21, 2023) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - SB 5376 Implementation - Rulemaking Project (May 22, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
-
WSLCB - Active Rulemaking Petitions
[ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Batch Tracking - Rulemaking Petition (August 29, 2023) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Biometric Identification - Rulemaking Petition (May 17, 2023) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Captive Insurance Companies - Rulemaking Petition (October 31, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - COA Expiration Dates - Rulemaking Petition (October 30, 2023) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Employee Stock Ownership Plans - Rulemaking Petition (Mar 26, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Harvest or Processing Date - Rulemaking Petition (January 26, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Heavy Metals Testing - Rulemaking Petition (Dec 8, 2023) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Payment Flexibility - Rulemaking Petition (October 14, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Social Equity License Mobility - Rulemaking Petition (May 17, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Social Equity License Mobility - Rulemaking Petition (June 17, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Traceability Platform - Rulemaking Petition (October 2, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Transporter Fulfillment Hub - Rulemaking Petition (July 16, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
Observations
The Week Ahead
(January 16, 2023)
15 cannabis bills—3x as many as were pre-filed—would be active as of Monday while the WSLCB board moved towards opening the social equity program retail application window.
WA House RSG - Committee Meeting
(January 10, 2023) - HB 1083 - Public Hearing
Looking to add flexibility to when retailers could pay for cannabis deliveries was popular with most people testifying, but two speakers felt the change would end up being unfair to suppliers.
WA Senate LC - Committee Meeting
(January 10, 2023) - SB 5080 - Public Hearing
Most speakers welcomed WSLCB request legislation expanding the social equity program, though several testifying wanted to see changes to avoid “oversaturation” of the retail market.
The Week Ahead
(January 9, 2023)
Although only five cannabis-specific bills were pre-filed, the convening of the Washington State Legislature portended significant changes to the policy landscape and operating environment.
WACA - Legislative Preview Conference - 2022 - Legislative Roundtable
(December 13, 2022) - Summary
Several cannabis retailers told lawmakers licensed businesses were diverting products to illegal cannabis markets while calling for enforcement, licensing, and reporting changes.
WSLCB - Board Meeting
(January 4, 2023) - Summary
The longtime Director of WSLCB planned to step down, CCRS 2.0 was on track to go live, and public comments touched on equity, traceability, transparency, and the cannabis economy.
WA House COG - Committee Meeting
(December 2, 2022) - UW ADAI Work Session
Informed by a small survey of stakeholders, a researcher producing a legislative report recommended officials reduce the availability and use of high-concentration cannabis products.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(January 3, 2023) - Summary
Staff provided updates on active and upcoming rulemaking projects before sharing details ahead of the inaugural meeting of the Quality Control Standards Work Group on Thursday January 5th.
WACA - Legislative Preview Conference - 2022 - WSDA Update
(December 13, 2022) - Summary
The WSDA Legislative Liaison reviewed department work impacting hemp and cannabis rules before taking questions about staffing and issues expected in the 2023 legislative session.
The Week Ahead
(January 2, 2023)
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.