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
(December 13, 2022) - CANNRA Update
Participants reacted to CANNRA conference panels on cannabis market structures and hemp regulations, noting networking and data-sharing opportunities had been especially valuable.
The Week Ahead
(December 19, 2022)
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.
WSLCB - Board Meeting
(December 7, 2022) - Retirements and Public Comments
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.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(December 6, 2022) - Summary
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.
The Week Ahead
(December 12, 2022)
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.
WA House COG - Committee Meeting
(December 2, 2022) - Synthesized Cannabinoid Trends and State Updates
A cannabis regulatory expert spoke to the committee about cannabinoid regulation, including research, media reporting, federal statistics, and legislative efforts outside of Washington state.
WA House COG - Committee Meeting
(November 30, 2022) - WA SECTF Update
A WA SECTF panel provided the committee an explanation of how they reached their final recommendations for social equity in cannabis before describing them and taking questions.
WA House COG - Committee Meeting
(December 2, 2022) - WSLCB Work Session
A WSLCB briefing on cannabinoid regulation charted activity leading up to 2023 request legislation including an investigation of a licensee engaged in synthesizing cannabinoids.
The Week Ahead
(December 5, 2022)
WSLCB board members would meet two new Policy and Rules Coordinators before the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force convened to approve their final recommendations.
UW ADAI - Symposium - 2022 - Exploring Solutions - Addressing the Risks of High THC Cannabis Products
(September 16, 2022) - Perspectives of Washington Stakeholders
The principal researcher responsible for organizing the high THC cannabis symposium and delivering the policy report presented their findings from surveys of recruited stakeholders.