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 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.
WA Senate LCTA - Committee Meeting
(March 18, 2021) - HB 1210 - Public Hearing
Thoughtful public testimony and an amendment tying in ‘hemp’ encouraged senators to take a closer look at a bill to change state law mentions of ‘marijuana’ to ‘cannabis’.
WSLCB - Work Group - Traceability 2.0
(March 2, 2021) - Summary
WSLCB leadership presented a draft road map outlining a new approach to cannabis licensee compliance reporting in the state which incorporated many work group recommendations.
The Week Ahead
(March 15, 2021)
There’s a new Board Chair at WSLCB, policy committee public hearings on 5 bills plus a prevention work session in the Legislature, and a WSDA webinar on the hemp program.
WA Senate LCTA - Committee Meeting
(March 11, 2021) - HB 1443 - Public Hearing
Following passage by the House, legislation to modify and expand the State social equity in cannabis task force and program was heard by senators for the first time.
WA Senate - Session - Morning
(March 9, 2021) - SB 5372 - Second and Third Reading
Legislation creating a voluntary hemp processor certification was unanimously passed by the Senate after adopting a striking amendment empowering WSLCB to test hemp found on licensed premises.
WA House - Session - Afternoon
(March 6, 2021) - HB 1210 - Second and Third Reading
A bill to change statutory references from ‘marijuana’ to ‘cannabis’ garnered strong support in passage by the House, but not before a lawmaker complained about changing language “we've become accustomed to.”