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
(April 25, 2023) - Summary
An update on the 2023 legislative session hinted at a potential special session to revise a Blake bill on drug use and treatment, then staff discussed input on the medical cannabis system.
The Week Ahead
(April 24, 2023)
The Washington State Legislature adjourned sine die on Sunday, but failed to pass “a Blake fix bill” which would likely prompt the calling of a 30-day special session sometime before June 1st.
WA Legislature - Update
(April 19, 2023)
Legislators appeared to have resolved a dispute over language added to the final clearly active cannabis bill by members of the House, and the WSLCB lobbyist hinted at the budget timeline.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(April 18, 2023) - Summary
Board members learned more about environmental pesticide investigations and test results before hearing a proposal for a dedicated research unit at the agency and legislative updates.
WA Legislature - Update
(April 18, 2023)
Six cannabis bills had been passed by the Legislature including the far reaching THC legislation, leaving only one clearly active cannabis bill in dispute in the House.
The Week Ahead
(April 17, 2023)
Legislators greeted the final week of the 2023 regular session as WSLCB staff cleaned up a policy mess nearly made near the sleeping giant of environmental pesticide contamination.
WSLCB - Executive Management Team
(April 12, 2023) - Summary
Agency leadership reported on their response to legacy environmental pesticides, CANNRA engagement, rule and research plans, as well as the status of hiring a new director.
WA Legislature - Update
(April 13, 2023)
And then there were seven; three cannabis bills were passed hours prior to the final cutoff gateway as legislators turned to concurrence votes, disputes, and conference committee work.
WSLCB - Board Meeting
(April 12, 2023) - Environmental Pesticide Action
Pausing emergency rulemaking which would lower action levels for some pesticides didn’t preclude public comments critical of the approach taken by agency staff to the overall situation.
WA Legislature - Update
(April 12, 2023)
None of four well-positioned cannabis bills were considered on Tuesday and remained in competition for limited opportunities for movement through the last cutoff gateway on Wednesday.