The Washington State Health Care Authority (WA HCA) purchases health care for Medicaid eligible Washington residents and public employees. The agency also procures funding for the development and implementation of substance use treatment and prevention programs with the intention of "integrating physical health and behavioral health services for better results and healthier residents."
Washington State Health Care Authority
(WA HCA)
Public
Observations
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(July 13, 2021) - Summary
The board heard a briefing on a statewide prevention roundtable leading to questions about prevention advocate engagement - and the synthesized cannabinoids investigation continued.
The Week Ahead
(July 12, 2021)
Dialogues about addressing social and economic equity within and through the cannabis sector continued - in some ways removed from current challenges undermining industry diversity.
The Week Ahead
(June 28, 2021)
The WSLCB Board would learn more about the subject of synthesized delta-9-THC the day before the social equity task force work group on licensing discusses the “State of the Industry.”
The Week Ahead
(June 14, 2021)
- USA - Washington
- Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis Disproportionately Impacted Communities Work Group
During a quiet summer week, the Social Equity Task Force Disproportionately Impacted Communities Work Group would continue clarifying the next retail application window.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(May 18, 2021) - SB 5092
Governor Inslee signed the biennium operating budget which appropriated cannabis excise tax revenue and other general fund tax dollars among more than a dozen agencies.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(May 13, 2021) - SB 5476
Governor Inslee signed a legislative response to a court case which invalidated the state drug possession statute, and lawmakers allotted more than $172 million to address the ruling.
The Week Ahead
(May 31, 2021)
This week would include interesting events covering a broad spectrum of cannabis-related topics including social equity, behavioral health, delta-8-THC, and substance use prevention.
The Week Ahead
(May 17, 2021)
The Washington state Governor was scheduled to take action on the operating budget for the upcoming biennium, endorsing or vetoing fiscal appropriations for many government activities.
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 Senate - Session - Evening
(April 24, 2021) - SB 5476 - Concurrence Vote and Final Passage
In concurring with revised legislation to re-enact drug possession offenses while expanding treatment and recovery offerings, lawmakers positioned Washington state to move away from a punitive approach to issues of drug use while further dismantling the so-called war on drugs.