Washington State Department of Health
(DOH)

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.

Members got an extensive review of hemp in food policies in other states, learned five principles regulators wanted recommendations to prioritize, and debated scheduling their next meeting.

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.

After a critical briefing was postponed, task force members offered high-level updates from two work groups and reiterated a need to collect appropriate data to produce a timely report.

Members learned about contemporary cannabinoid research from a UW official then defined and prioritized work group focus areas for reporting back to the full task force.

Attendees heard about the WSDA hemp program and projects their staff were involved with, then asked about hemp testing and the possibility of Ag regulating cannabis production.

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 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.

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 governor signed the only non-controversial cannabis bill of the 2022 session into law, setting regulators up to form an interagency coordination team responsible for lab standards.