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
(April 12, 2022) - Summary
After a rulemaking update, the board mentioned a presentation on social equity to Seattle City Councilors and anticipated reports on cannabis retail safety at the next day’s board meeting.
WSLCB - Listen and Learn Forum - Social Equity
(March 23, 2022) - Summary
Staff gathered input on draft conceptual rules for the agency social equity program which included many criticisms of the proposal - and heard opposition to the underlying equity project.
The Week Ahead
(April 11, 2022)
Proposed rules for the WSLCB social equity program also included “readability” edits throughout the WAC, and agency staff were scheduled to follow up after the Cannabis Retail Safety Forum.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(March 31, 2022) - SB 5693
The Governor shared his thoughts on the supplemental budget before signing it; the measure created two hemp task forces, a community reinvestment fund, and other cannabis-centric changes.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(March 24, 2022) - SB 5796
The Governor signed a bill which changed non-binding cannabis revenue appropriations and mandated a study of those expenditures by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(March 24, 2022) - HB 1859
The governor signed the only non-controversial cannabis bill of the 2022 session into law, setting regulators up to form an interagency coordination team responsible for lab standards.
The Week Ahead
(April 4, 2022)
A quiet week for cannabis-related policymaking events created space for thoughtful public outreach by members of the University of Washington Center for Cannabis Research.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(March 29, 2022) - Cannabis Retail Safety Forum
Licensees, legislators, and lobbyists talked about a wave of retail robberies which had increased in frequency in 2022, examining banking, training, and other possible solutions and mitigations.
The Cannabis Alliance - Webinar - Legislative Roundtable
(March 23, 2022) - Summary
Legislative leaders of cannabis policy committees talked about a few successes in 2022, and the more numerous failures around medical cannabis, equity, and cannabinoid regulation bills.
The Week Ahead
(March 28, 2022)
State leaders planned to publicly engage with selected cannabis retail stakeholders to draw attention to the need for federal banking reform to help mitigate robberies before more people were hurt.