Washington State University Center for Cannabis Policy, Research, and Outreach
(WSU CCPRO)

Officials and licensees alike moved to squeeze in policy-related meetings between the end of year holidays as pre-filing for the 2025-26 biennial state legislative session opened on Monday.

A seemingly straightforward policymaking week was freighted with new urgency following the announcement that WSLCB Board Chair David Postman had been appointed to a new role.

WSLCB staff planned to delay action on three rulemaking projects before being publicly called to account for a follow-up State performance audit on cannabis traceability and enforcement.

A selection of events reflecting the diversity and complexity of the Cannabis sativa plant were scheduled by the WSLCB, WSU, WTSC, DOH, and Cannabis Alliance during the week.

Representatives of WSLCB and the Department of Ecology briefed the committee about ongoing research and cleanup of legacy pesticide soil contamination in central Washington.

The work group discussed two questions: was it possible to define “high THC” products, and were there gaps in requirements on cannabis product stability?

After a full week of WSLCB board activity, the Cannabis Alliance planned to host the ninth annual Washington State Cannabis Summit to engage with contemporary cannabis issues.

Members had difficulty offering guidance on THC regulation due to wording in a 2023 law but considered other issues the group could make meaningful contributions towards in the future.

Members reviewed already-submitted edits and suggested final changes to WSLCB recommendations on THC detectability, lab technology, product safety, and future topics.

In Oregon and Washington, land grant university and federal agricultural scientists invited the public to tour experimental fiber and grain hemp fields to learn about contemporary research.