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
(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.
WSLCB - Executive Management Team
(October 12, 2022) - DEI and Social Equity Updates
Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at WSLCB were discussed along with the budding social equity program, related community engagement efforts, and request legislation for 2023.
WA SECTF - Public Meeting
(August 23, 2022) - Summary
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.
The Week Ahead
(October 24, 2022)
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.”
WA Hemp in Food Task Force - Meeting
(October 5, 2022) - Summary
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.
UW ADAI - Symposium - 2022 - Comments From Public Officials
(September 16, 2022) - Summary
Three Democratic state legislators shared their views on research and pushing legislation around cannabis products with high cannabinoid concentrations, if re-elected.
The Week Ahead
(October 17, 2022)
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.