Washington SunGrowers Industry Association
(WSIA)

An extensive briefing by WSLCB staff on past cannabis business licensing windows provoked a lively Q&A on the prospective social equity program application process.

The committee heard a bill intended to remove the term ‘marijuana’ from use in state law due to its background as a way to imbue cannabis prohibition with racial and social bias.

The influence of prevention organizations on WSLCB policy was the focus of a presentation from the agency’s public health liaison and remarks from Cannabis Advisory Council members.

SB 5004, legislation providing an excise tax exemption for patients registered with the state, drew largely supportive testimony which contested the accuracy of the fiscal note.

Goals for the 2021 Washington state legislative session, which begins Monday January 11th, were articulated by WSLCB agency leadership and Cannabis Advisory Council members.

The WSLCB Board and Policy and Rules team heard strong criticisms of the supplemental Quality Control Testing and Product Requirements rule proposal from many stakeholders.

Review of the task force’s scope and responsibilities, draft bylaws, and operating principles elicited member perspectives on the kinds of systemic racism they would attempt to address within the state’s legal cannabis market.

WSDA staff described program operations, announced allowance of “dietary ingredients,” previewed a web portal, and created a new work group to help expand MIE product types.

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.

Members confirmed WSLCB remains “stuck between a rock and a hard place” but sought answers about lab results, the open data portal, license renewal fees, and legislative outreach.