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
(February 15, 2022) - Legislative Affairs Update
Director of Legislative Relations Chris Thompson described the status of cannabis-related bills, and the potential that cannabinoid request legislation would fail in part due to “misinformation.”
WA House APP - Committee Meeting
(February 7, 2022) - HB 2022 - Executive Session
After the failure of several minority caucus amendments on the social equity bill, some members raised doubts about increasing cannabis licensure leading to narrow passage out of committee.
The Week Ahead
(February 14, 2022)
By Tuesday evening, most bills would need to be voted out of their house of origin to continue, but three important—and contentious—cannabis-related bills remained unmoved.
WA Senate LAW - Committee Meeting
(February 8, 2022) - HB 1105 - Public Hearing
A bill to grant all medical cannabis patients protection from arrest received almost entirely positive testimony, along with complaints about homegrowing and cannabis scheduling policy.
WA House APP - Committee Meeting
(February 7, 2022) - HB 1668 - Executive Session
A definition of ‘impairing’ was added to legislation on cannabinoid regulation along with legislative oversight of WSLCB rulemaking before members recommended the bill be advanced.
WA House APP - Committee Meeting
(February 4, 2022) - HB 1668 - Public Hearing
Testimony on legislation to revise regulation of cannabinoids emphasized policy pitfalls versus prospective benefits, and hinted at fiscal fallout from litigious hemp industry interests.
The Week Ahead
(February 7, 2022)
After a brutal week for cannabis-related legislation which saw more than half rendered inactive, legislators prepared to undertake key debates on synthesized cannabinoids, community reinvestment, and social equity.
WSLCB - Board Meeting
(February 2, 2022) - Quality Control - Public Hearing
After more than three years, rulemaking on pesticide testing still elicited criticism from many producers and processors, though a few stakeholders suggested enacting and moving on.
WA Senate AWNP - Committee Meeting
(February 1, 2022) - SB 5951 - Public Hearing
A bill requiring accuracy in CBD labeling was welcomed by hemp stakeholders, but dissent centered on definitions cribbed from another bill and whether the legislation was necessary.
WA Senate LAW - Committee Meeting
(January 31, 2022) - SB 5927 - Public Hearing
With increasing incidents of cannabis retail robbery, legislation adding reporting requirements and sentencing enhancements was seen as helpful, but some argued it sidestepped bigger issues.