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
WA House FIN - Committee Meeting
(March 25, 2021) - SB 5004 - Executive Session
Legislation to exempt registered medical cannabis patients from the State excise tax on compliant products received a near unanimous policy committee recommendation, but was not taken up by its fiscal committee.
Cuomo Commandeers CANNRA, Legalizes Cannabis in All 51 States
(April 1, 2021)
In a surprise move, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo commandeered the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) to immediately legalize cannabis in all 51 states, unleashing a wave of creative activity to avert climate catastrophe.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(March 30, 2021) - Summary
Director Rick Garza discussed how his work for WSLCB and the organization CANNRA weren’t “separate hats” and identified states the agency would look to for model cannabinoid policies.
WA House COG - Committee Meeting
(March 26, 2021) - Work Session - Cannabis Business Attorneys
Two attorneys were invited to speak about Washington state cannabis policies compared to other jurisdictions in a work session about the future of the cannabis industry.
The Week Ahead
(March 29, 2021)
As budget activity ramped up, fiscal committees undertook the last week for consideration of most policy legislation - and several cannabis-related bills remained unscheduled at the start.
WA House COG - Committee Meeting
(March 25, 2021) - Work Session - WSLCB
WSLCB Director Rick Garza requested time to update lawmakers ahead of a committee work session on the future of the cannabis industry to share regulator priorities and disclose new agency work groups.
WA House COG - Committee Meeting
(March 19, 2021) - SB 5372 - Public Hearing
A bill to create a voluntary hemp processor registration program and hemp extract certificate garnered mostly supportive testimony in the House from the public and state officials.
WSLCB - Board Meeting
(March 17, 2021) - Summary
The public had a chance to hear from the new chair before the Board approved the 18th tribal cannabis compact in Washington state and received a rulemaking update.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(March 16, 2021) - Delta-8-THC
Director Rick Garza discussed agency efforts to understand delta-8-THC and develop policy following increased momentum towards restriction by other states amid federal uncertainty.
The Week Ahead
(March 22, 2021)
Several cannabis bills portend some controversy on their way through the next cutoff on Friday, where a mysterious work session on “the future of the cannabis industry” awaited.