Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
(WSLCB)

WSLCB Board Member Jim Vollendroff spoke candidly about his history, his goals as a cannabis regulator, and his commitment to helping licensees achieve success.

At their inaugural meeting, work group members introduced themselves, shared their research interests, and developed some structure for the group.

A quiet week and close of year allows for some reflections on the cannabis sector, a goose that laid golden eggs for the State of Washington.

Cannabinoid regulation in the legislative session, the social equity program, CANNRA, and the traceability system were top-of-mind issues during the last agency public meeting of the year.

After failing to reach consensus on hemp product THC limits in their final report, it became clear that input from WSDA wouldn’t address the issue for subsequent industry-led legislation either.

Participants reacted to CANNRA conference panels on cannabis market structures and hemp regulations, noting networking and data-sharing opportunities had been especially valuable.

As policy efforts were eased at the close of the year, lingering questions about a legislator’s conduct and the future of hemp cannabinoids in Washington state kept the calendar active.

Staff said goodbye to two retiring division heads and heard several critical public comments before the chair gave a lengthy defense of the agency's continued work on social equity.

Board members were introduced to the newest staff of the Policy and Rules team; got up to speed on rulemaking projects and petitions; and heard themes from a CANNRA meeting.

Previews of bills to expect during the upcoming Washington State legislative session would likely be shared at events organized by WACA, the Hemp in Food Task Force, and WSLCB.