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
The Week Ahead
(November 21, 2022)
The WSLCB board cancelled meetings during the holiday week, but WA HCA would host a listening session as staff prepared a report on “High THC Policy” recommendations.
WSLCB - Board Meeting
(November 9, 2022) - Summary
Board members denied a petition on use of customer ID data, rescinded an interim traceability policy, and heard public comments about the promised social equity retail program.
WA Hemp in Food Task Force - Meeting
(October 26, 2022) - Summary
Task force members discussed drafting their report due to the legislature on December 1st before talking about what cannabinoid limits they’d recommend for hemp in food.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(November 8, 2022) - WA Public Health Research
Presentations on public health surveys by researchers from Canada and Oregon gave the board insight into how Washington’s system compared to other legal cannabis jurisdictions.
The Week Ahead
(November 14, 2022)
WSLCB members would discuss 10 years of I-502 with an industry panel and the Hemp in Food Task Force was scheduled for a final review of their report to the legislature.
WA Senate LCTA - Committee Meeting
(October 17, 2022) - Work Session - Organized Retail Crime
Ahead of the 2023 session, committee members heard about the response to organized retail crime, including staff of the attorney general’s office and cannabis retail representatives.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(November 1, 2022) - Discussion with Alison Holcomb
A conversation with the author of the state’s legalization initiative provided history and context around the first decade of WSLCB policymaking, along with insights for the next.
WSLCB - Executive Management Team
(October 12, 2022) - Legislative Affairs and Policy Discussions
Board members heard legislative updates, mentioned special guests attending upcoming caucuses, and discussed how to achieve prevention of 100% of retail sales to youth.
The Week Ahead
(November 7, 2022)
As the annual Washington State Prevention Summit was convened, WSLCB board members would hear from two prominent public health researchers and undertake planned rulemaking.
The Week Ahead
(October 31, 2022)
To acknowledge the 10-year anniversary of the passage of Initiative 502, WSLCB board members planned to host a discussion with Alison Holcomb, architect of the initiative.