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
(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.
WA SECTF - Work Group - Disproportionately Impacted Communities - Public Meeting
(March 24, 2021) - WA OAG Presentation
- USA - Washington
- Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis Disproportionately Impacted Communities Work Group
The attorney general’s office described the “strict scrutiny” standard federal courts applied to laws utilizing race-based criteria and how that related to the work group’s development of social equity program applicant criteria.