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
- WSLCB - Alcohol Advisory Council
- WSLCB - Board Caucus
- WSLCB - Board Meeting
- WSLCB - Cannabis Advisory Council
- WSLCB - COVID - Incident Command
- WSLCB - COVID - Legal/Policy/Rules Meeting
- WSLCB - Deliberative Dialogue
- WSLCB - Engagement
- WSLCB - Engagement - BIPOC
- WSLCB - Executive Management Team
- WSLCB - Focus Group
- WSLCB - Integrator Work Session
- WSLCB - Internal
- WSLCB - Listen and Learn Forum
- WSLCB - Special Board Caucus
- WSLCB - Special Board Meeting
- WSLCB - Traceability Advisory Committee
- WSLCB - Tribal Advisory Council
- WSLCB - Webinar
- WSLCB - Work Group - Cannabis Penalties
- WSLCB - Work Group - Cannabis Potency Tax
- WSLCB - Work Group - Healthy Youth Survey
- WSLCB - Work Group - Traceability 2.0
- WSLCB - Work Group - True Party of Interest
- WSLCB - Work Group - Voluntary Compliance Program
- WSLCB - World Cafe
Structural Relationships
-
Washington State Office of the Governor
(WA Governor) -
Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
(WSLCB) -
Washington State Task Force on Marijuana OdorInactive
(WA Task Force on Marijuana Odor) -
WSLCB Cannabinoid Science Work GroupInactive
(WSLCB - Work Group - Cannabinoid Science) -
WSLCB Quality Control Standards Work Group
(WSLCB - Work Group - QC Standards)
Information Set
-
WSLCB - Active Rulemaking Projects
[ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Employee Stock Ownership Plans - Rulemaking Project (October 9, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Identification Reform - Rulemaking Project (October 9, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Lab Authority Transfer - Rulemaking Project (July 17, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Minors on Wholesale Licensed Premises - Rulemaking Project (February 28, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Product Samples - Rulemaking Project (March 1, 2023) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - SB 5080 Implementation - Rulemaking Project (November 8, 2023) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - SB 5367 Implementation - Rulemaking Project (June 21, 2023) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - SB 5376 Implementation - Rulemaking Project (May 22, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
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WSLCB - Active Rulemaking Petitions
[ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Batch Tracking - Rulemaking Petition (August 29, 2023) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Biometric Identification - Rulemaking Petition (May 17, 2023) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Captive Insurance Companies - Rulemaking Petition (October 31, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - COA Expiration Dates - Rulemaking Petition (October 30, 2023) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Employee Stock Ownership Plans - Rulemaking Petition (Mar 26, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Harvest or Processing Date - Rulemaking Petition (January 26, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Heavy Metals Testing - Rulemaking Petition (Dec 8, 2023) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Payment Flexibility - Rulemaking Petition (October 14, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Social Equity License Mobility - Rulemaking Petition (May 17, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Social Equity License Mobility - Rulemaking Petition (June 17, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Traceability Platform - Rulemaking Petition (October 2, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
- WSLCB - Transporter Fulfillment Hub - Rulemaking Petition (July 16, 2024) [ InfoSet ]
Observations
WA Pharmacy Commission - Public Meeting
(April 23, 2021) - Interpretation of THC Statute
At the request of WSLCB and with some hedging after hearing from stakeholders, the Pharmacy Commission affirmed a “plain language reading” of the controlled substances act definition of ‘THC’.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(May 4, 2021) - Delta-8-THC
Policy and Rules Manager Kathy Hoffman walked the board through the past, present, and future of WSLCB regulation of cannabinoids aside from delta-9-THC in legal cannabis products.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(May 3, 2021) - HB 1443
Legislation expanding the membership and responsibilities of the social equity task force was signed into law, strengthening an influential movement in the Washington state cannabis sector.
The Week Ahead
(May 3, 2021)
Deliberative work characteristic of the interim between legislative sessions began in earnest this week with social equity, medical marijuana, and behavioral health events on the calendar.
WSLCB - Board Meeting
(April 28, 2021) - Summary
The Board proposed rules to double tier 1 producer canopy and heard comments calling for incentivized medical cannabis production and regulation of delta-8-THC.
The Week Ahead
(April 26, 2021)
Only two cannabis-specific bills were passed before the end of the 2021 Washington state legislative session; we speculate about factors in play during a complex and busy interim.
WSLCB - Executive Management Team
(April 14, 2021) - Federal Enforcement Action
Details about WSLCB involvement in a federally coordinated police raid raised new questions about the agency’s engagement in the drug war, and revealed threats against one board member.
The Week Ahead
(April 19, 2021)
The hemp processor bill was signed into law, likely followed by the social equity bill - but the future of drug policy in Washington state was on a strange trip aboard SB 5476.
WSLCB - Cannabis Advisory Council
(April 7, 2021) - Summary
The new WSLCB Chair provided more expansive remarks during a public introduction to Cannabis Advisory Council representatives whose comments varied from friendly to confrontational.
WSLCB - Board Meeting
(April 14, 2021) - Summary
In addition to a rulemaking review, the meeting featured several public comments from cannabis farmers concerned about the impact cannabinoids derived from hemp CBD were having in the state’s cannabis market.