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
WA House RSG - Committee Meeting
(January 24, 2023) - HB 1453 - Public Hearing
Unanimously supportive testimony on a bill to remove the cannabis excise tax for medical patients registered with the state called attention to problems around taxing medicine.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(January 24, 2023) - Summary
Board members expressed their willingness to support multiple bills for medical cannabis patients and spoke at length about their approach to interacting with the state legislature.
WA Legislature - Update
(January 24, 2023)
The out-of-state ownership bill was heard, two seasoned bills were set for introduction, and medical cannabis patients would make their case for excise tax exemption in 2023.
WA House RSG - Committee Meeting
(January 23, 2023) - HB 1341 - Public Hearing
Legislation to permit out-of-state ownership and suspend inactive producers received mostly supportive testimony, with opposition centered on equity implications from the change.
The Week Ahead
(January 23, 2023)
Legislators continued to undertake cannabis bills slowly, especially in the senate, but perennial subjects like out-of-state ownership had been positioned for consideration.
WSLCB - Executive Management Team
(January 11, 2023) - CANNRA Meeting Review
CANNRA conference participants shared feedback from panels on markets, legal issues, inspections, and social consumption before discussing leadership opportunities in the group.
WA Legislature - Update
(January 20, 2023)
On Thursday, representatives heard—and questioned—a WSLCB history of the 502 marketplace as senators prepared executive sessions for two cannabis bills the following week.
WA Legislature - Update
(January 19, 2023)
Patients would get another chance at excise tax exemption, WSLCB leadership prepared to tell their 502 story, and only two cannabis bills were scheduled for action the following week.
WA Hemp in Food Task Force - Meeting
(January 11, 2023) - Summary
With a review of scientific literature contracted, task force members detailed remaining concerns and discussed approaches to lobbying for draft legislation on hemp cannabinoids in food.
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.