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
(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.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(March 22, 2022) - Retail Robberies
After a week of multiple retail robberies resulting in deaths of staff and suspects, the board talked about the need for federal action and scheduled a roundtable talk with stakeholders.
WA SECTF - Work Group - Licensing - Public Meeting
(March 17, 2022) - Summary
- USA - Washington
- Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis Licensing Work Group
A Denver cannabis club owner and a consumer representative shared ideas and policies on social use of cannabis before the group discussed what might work in Washington.
The Week Ahead
(March 21, 2022)
WSLCB staff would accept feedback on the upcoming social equity retail licensure window and the Cannabis Alliance planned to host leading legislators to discuss what happened in 2022.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(March 15, 2022) - Summary
The caucus meeting touched on existing rulemaking; a proposal to label cannabis vapor cartridges; the highs and lows of the legislative session; and a newly appointed board member.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(March 11, 2022) - HB 1210
The governor acknowledged the racist legacy of using the term ‘marijuana’ in reference to the plant before signing a law to use the word ‘cannabis’ in state statute and rules instead.
The Week Ahead
(March 14, 2022)
Three cannabis-related bills were passed by the legislature in 2022—out of 31 introduced—yet WSLCB and social equity task force work continued nonetheless.