Washington State Department of Health
(DOH)

A “wave of interest” around the WSLCB-approved Joints for Jabs vaccination program provoked both media inquiry and criticism while the board and staff remained confident in the program.

During a hearing on tier 1 canopy and public comment, licensees and citizens spoke to perceived limitations of the Joints for Jabs program, hemp biomass, and market structure.

As a social equity task force work group began considering how to distribute $3.62M in grants, another task force prepared to disband, leaving cannabis science under the care of regulators.

Governor Inslee signed the biennium operating budget which appropriated cannabis excise tax revenue and other general fund tax dollars among more than a dozen agencies.

This week would include interesting events covering a broad spectrum of cannabis-related topics including social equity, behavioral health, delta-8-THC, and substance use prevention.

Policy and Rules Manager Kathy Hoffman walked the board through the past, present, and future of WSLCB regulation of cannabinoids aside from delta-9-THC in legal cannabis products.

WSLCB Director Rick Garza requested time to update lawmakers ahead of a committee work session on the future of the cannabis industry to share regulator priorities and disclose new agency work groups.

Testimony on legislation establishing a limited excise tax exemption for medical cannabis patients registered with the State painted an encouraging picture of potential impacts for patients and the regulated industry.

The second policy committee hearing on legislation extending arrest protections to all authorized medical cannabis patients elicited similar testimony and substantial sign in support.

A bill to exempt registered medical cannabis patients from paying the State excise tax on compliant products received a nod from members of both parties before passage.