Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
(WSLCB)

Task force members appointed the second new co-chair in two months, heard about 2023 request legislation, then discussed and approved final recommendations from work groups.

As task force members and agency staff condensed their findings into legislative reports, the WSLCB policy team prepared to form a new work group on “Cannabinoid Science.”

The task force received an overview of cannabis extraction and product formulation processes and heard status reports from two work groups as an October 31st deadline drew near.

Three Democratic state legislators shared their views on research and pushing legislation around cannabis products with high cannabinoid concentrations, if re-elected.

Larger cultural movements surfaced in the microcosm of cannabis policymaking as senators heard about retail theft and safety experts considered their goal of zero traffic fatalities by 2030.

Just as social equity rulemaking at WSLCB was concluded, a report alleging abusive behavior by a former task force leader reinvigorated lingering public skepticism over agency progress.

As the initial social equity effort was prepared for completion, staff looked ahead to rulemaking projects, a new petition, and two agency work groups being set up.

WSLCB board members were scheduled to take an important step towards addressing social equity after hearing from public health officials and researchers on cannabis product packaging.

A presentation on consumption habits among young adults in Washington described negative health effects, poor academic outcomes, and suicidal thoughts attributed to cannabis use disorder.

Two work groups presented draft recommendations to the full task force covering product scope and requirements, as well as definitions for ‘hemp extract’ and classification of cannabinoids.