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 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.
WACA - Legislative Preview Conference - 2022 - Keynote
(December 13, 2022) - Summary
WSLCB Board Member Jim Vollendroff spoke candidly about his history, his goals as a cannabis regulator, and his commitment to helping licensees achieve success.
WSLCB - Work Group - Cannabinoid Science - Public Meeting
(December 1, 2022) - Summary
At their inaugural meeting, work group members introduced themselves, shared their research interests, and developed some structure for the group.
The Week Ahead
(December 26, 2022)
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.
WSLCB - Executive Management Team
(December 14, 2022) - Summary
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.
WA Hemp in Food Task Force - Meeting
(December 14, 2022) - Summary
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.