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
The Week Ahead
(November 21, 2022)
The WSLCB board cancelled meetings during the holiday week, but WA HCA would host a listening session as staff prepared a report on “High THC Policy” recommendations.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(November 8, 2022) - WA Public Health Research
Presentations on public health surveys by researchers from Canada and Oregon gave the board insight into how Washington’s system compared to other legal cannabis jurisdictions.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(November 1, 2022) - Discussion with Alison Holcomb
A conversation with the author of the state’s legalization initiative provided history and context around the first decade of WSLCB policymaking, along with insights for the next.
The Week Ahead
(November 7, 2022)
As the annual Washington State Prevention Summit was convened, WSLCB board members would hear from two prominent public health researchers and undertake planned rulemaking.
The Week Ahead
(October 24, 2022)
As task force members and agency staff condensed their findings into legislative reports, the WSLCB policy team prepared to form a new work group on “Cannabinoid Science.”
UW ADAI - Symposium - 2022 - Cannabis Use by Young Adults
(September 16, 2022) - Summary
A presentation on consumption habits among young adults in Washington described negative health effects, poor academic outcomes, and suicidal thoughts attributed to cannabis use disorder.
UW ADAI - Symposium - 2022 - Acute Effects of High Potency Cannabis Flower and Concentrates on Cognition
(September 16, 2022) - Summary
A WSU researcher described results of two studies she conducted on cannabis consumption and memory, sharing that her hypothesis on the impacts of concentrates hadn’t been validated.
UW ADAI - Symposium - 2022 - Public Health Outcomes in Legal Markets
(September 16, 2022) - Summary
A researcher suggested changes in availability and acceptance of high THC products contributed to increased use by adults and youth, and gave ideas for monitoring and reducing this trend.
UW ADAI - Symposium - 2022 - Opening Remarks
(September 16, 2022) - Summary
UW ADAI leaders opened the day-long event by claiming revised regulation of cannabis concentrates would establish the state as a wise “big brother” learning from legalization.
The Week Ahead
(August 22, 2022)
The social equity task force was scheduled to consider recommendations from two work groups and take positions on WSLCB draft legislation - but would not publicly discuss changes to DIAs.