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
(May 16, 2022)
The King County Council would decide whether or not to create a “cannabis business security task force” to convene in the months leading up to the county biennial budget season.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(May 10, 2022) - Rulemaking Updates
As staff prepared to open rulemaking on cannabinoid regulations, they also announced a delay on social equity rules and shared the status of several open or near future efforts.
The Week Ahead
(May 9, 2022)
Washington state policymakers aiming to rebuild the bulwarks of the highly regulated cannabis market prepared to take new steps to respond to chemically converted hemp cannabinoids.
WSLCB - Deliberative Dialogue - Cannabis Impairment
(April 27, 2022) - Summary
Panelists from previous talks returned to field questions on identifying and regulating impairing cannabinoids, goals much more difficult to reach for cannabis than for alcohol.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(May 3, 2022) - Introduction of Jim Vollendroff
The newest board member’s first meeting went over some of his prior experience and what issue areas and internal efforts he hoped to become involved with at the agency.
The Week Ahead
(May 2, 2022)
The week is largely free and open as there’s only a WSLCB Board Caucus scheduled for Tuesday.
WSLCB - Board Meeting
(April 27, 2022) - Summary
Staff announced free retail security training and site assessments would be available before the board approved an expedited rulemaking and heard a call to prioritize particular cannabis “pioneers.”
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(April 26, 2022) - Future Rulemaking
Staff offered a vision of future agency rulemaking including projects on cannabinoid regulation; packaging and labeling; and advertising - as well as outreach on national legalization.
WA SECTF - Work Group - Licensing - Public Meeting
(April 21, 2022) - Summary
- USA - Washington
- Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis Licensing Work Group
The work group’s final recommendations on social equity licensing, including new delivery and social consumption license types, were reviewed at their last meeting.
The Week Ahead
(April 25, 2022)
WSLCB staff planned to renew public dialogue about impairing versus non-impairing cannabinoids, providing an opportunity to question how helpful that dichotomy actually is.