The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) aims to develop programs and services to help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide information to help people make good health decisions, and ensure Washington state is prepared for emergencies.
Washington State Department of Health
(DOH)
Public
Observations
WA Legislature - Update
(January 16, 2025)
The hearing on production unions revealed complicated power dynamics around the legislation and four new cannabis-related bills were ready for introduction including out of state ownership and ESOPs.
WSLCB - Executive Management Team
(January 8, 2025) - Summary
Legislative affairs, social equity, traceability, rulemaking, and the board’s role at WSLCB were among topics discussed at the first public meeting of agency leadership in 2025.
The Week Ahead
(January 6, 2024)
In the final week before the start of the 2025 regular session, regulators prepared to hear briefings on the legislative agendas of their respective agencies and partner organizations.
The Week Ahead
(December 9, 2024)
Legislators planned to host work sessions in advance of the 2025 session which would occasion the final convening of the House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee.
The Week Ahead
(November 25, 2024)
A few events may get stuffed in ahead of November holidays, including an advocacy training by leading public health officials which was “not open to anyone from the Cannabis industry.”
UW ADAI - Symposium - 2024 - Opening Remarks
(September 19, 2024) - Summary
UW ADAI leaders gave context for the symposium, promising to highlight researchers from around the world while contrasting their efforts from the historical baggage of Reefer Madness.
TVW - Inside Olympia
(October 10, 2024) - WSLCB Director Will Lukela
Over a year into his role at WSLCB, Director Will Lukela was interviewed for an hour about regulating the Washington state cannabis market, eliciting his perspective on critical issues.
DOH - Webinar - Medical Cannabis Workshop
(October 17, 2024) - Summary
A long running rulemaking project got fresh feedback on a draft from those in the medical cannabis sector, but staff were no closer to being able to forecast completion of their work.
The Week Ahead
(October 14, 2024)
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.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(September 24, 2024) - Budtender Training Requirements
A cannabis postdoc presented research on state-level budtender requirements, eliciting specific interests of board members and agency research staff on implementing training policies.