Washington State Health Care Authority
(WA HCA)

As the annual Washington State Prevention Summit was convened, WSLCB board members would hear from two prominent public health researchers and undertake planned rulemaking.

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.”

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.

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.

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 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 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.

An expert on cannabis use by young adults provided results for the Washington Young Adult Health Survey before talking through education, prevention, and research topics of concern.

The social equity production work group would meet, likely for the last time, before WSLCB staff convened a listen and learn forum on draft rules for the cannabinoid regulation rulemaking project.

The full social equity task force planned to convene for the first time in two months to elect a new co-chair and hear a progress report from the Washington State Department of Commerce.