Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee

The Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee (WA Senate LBRC) considers issues relating to employment standards, industrial insurance, unemployment insurance and collective bargaining. The committee also considers regulation of business and professions and has oversight of commerce issues relating to alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and gaming.

At the beginning of the 2021 state legislative session, the scope of the committee was expanded and the name changed accordingly to the Washington State Senate Labor, Commerce, and Tribal Affairs Committee (WA Senate LCTA).

Structural Relationships

Information Set

Observations

WA Senate - Session
(March 8, 2023) - SB 5546 - Second and Third Reading

Thursday March 9, 2023

Senators amended and passed legislation to create a framework for establishing a Washington State Cannabis Commission hours before the house of origin gateway was closed.

WA Senate LC - Committee Meeting
(January 31, 2023) - SB 5080 - Executive Session

Wednesday February 1, 2023

A proposed substitute to the social equity program was passed with more equity licenses to be allotted with legislative approval, extended the program end date, and revised statutory definitions.

WSLCB - Ownership of Producer Processors - June 2020

WA Senate LBRC - Work Session
(November 30, 2020) - Social Equity

Friday December 4, 2020

Senators heard a status report on the social equity task force, concerns from past and prospective applicants, and a rebuttal from WSLCB staff on licensing decision making.

Washington State - Medical Cannabis - Green Cross - Shield

WA Senate LBRC - Work Session
(November 30, 2020) - Medical Cannabis

Thursday December 3, 2020

During a panel on medical cannabis, Senate President Pro Tempore Karen Keiser announced previous legislation to make cannabis more affordable for medical patients would be reintroduced.

WSLCB - Retail Title Certificate Ownership Demographics

WA Senate LBRC - Work Session
(November 30, 2020) - In Brief

Monday November 30, 2020

State and local officials as well as cannabis industry stakeholders discussed the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force, excise taxes on medical marijuana, and a cannabis research commission.

WSLCB - Merger of Adult Use and Medical Marketplace

The Week Ahead
(November 30, 2020)

Monday November 30, 2020

On Monday, legislators in both chambers planned to review social equity within the cannabis industry, medical marijuana, a proposed cannabis commission, and the WSLCB’s status.

Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis - Legislative Members

WA Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis - Public Meeting
(October 26, 2020) - Meet the Members

Friday October 30, 2020

Meet the 18 appointed members of the Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis in our first post on the inaugural meeting of this group.

WA Senate LBRC - Work Session
(September 28, 2020) - Criminal Activity

Friday October 9, 2020

Senators requested and received a brief update from WSLCB on “criminal activity” which we elaborate on to describe the agency’s enforcement actions and participation in drug task forces.

WSLCB - Engagement - BIPOC
(October 5, 2020) - Summary

Thursday October 8, 2020

WSLCB leadership listened during more than two hours of community feedback, provided some feedback of their own, and shared new details about the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force.

WSLCB - Engagement - BIPOC
(September 29, 2020) - Summary

Friday October 2, 2020

An at times contentious facilitated meeting provided an opportunity for agency leadership to hear from people of color about social equity in the industry and WSLCB’s practices.