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 26, 2022) - WA Young Adult Health Survey
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 Week Ahead
(July 25, 2022)
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 Week Ahead
(June 27, 2022)
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.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(May 31, 2022) - Summary
The 2021 Healthy Youth Survey of Washington school students showed mostly positive signs around cannabis, but a three year gap disrupted comparison of trends with past results.
The Week Ahead
(April 25, 2022)
WSLCB staff planned to renew public dialogue about impairing versus non-impairing cannabinoids, providing an opportunity to question how helpful that dichotomy actually is.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(March 31, 2022) - SB 5693
The Governor shared his thoughts on the supplemental budget before signing it; the measure created two hemp task forces, a community reinvestment fund, and other cannabis-centric changes.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(March 24, 2022) - SB 5796
The Governor signed a bill which changed non-binding cannabis revenue appropriations and mandated a study of those expenditures by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee.
The Week Ahead
(March 21, 2022)
WSLCB staff would accept feedback on the upcoming social equity retail licensure window and the Cannabis Alliance planned to host leading legislators to discuss what happened in 2022.
WA House APP - Committee Meeting
(February 22, 2022) - SB 5796 - Public Hearing
Staff briefed on a bill with complex changes to recommended cannabis tax appropriations before testimony emphasized benefits for transparency, social equity, and local governments.
The Week Ahead
(February 21, 2022)
As the timeline for legislation became more compressed, committees crammed bills for action - while the WSLCB cannabinoid regulation bill was granted a second chance to NTIB.