The Cannabis Alliance

Director of Legislative Relations Chris Thompson went over the status of two potential agency request bills (lab standards, cannabinoid regulation) and an upcoming briefing to lawmakers.

CFO Jim Morgan told agency leadership CCRS remained on track and testing revealed no significant bugs; meanwhile, an informal integrator group formed to facilitate data exchange.

WSLCB Board Chair David Postman provided an opening keynote speech reflecting on his work and the status of the agency before answering questions of concern to conference attendees.

Legislative, regulatory, and lobbying leaders talked about preparing the Washington state cannabis sector for national legalization and interstate trade.

Industry, academic, and agency representatives brought lawmakers up to speed on CBD product research and policy development in Washington state.

The social equity licensing work group would learn about “Social Consumption Lounges” and the Cannabis Alliance planned to host state officials to discuss crucial contemporary topics.

A single patient offered testimony recommending sales tax breaks be reserved for registered patient purchases of DOH compliant products to incentivize “medical grade” production.

Members asked about the potential to include consideration of synthesized delta-9-THC in open rulemaking and had a lengthy discussion on the tone of official statements on the matter.

The new WSLCB Chair provided more expansive remarks during a public introduction to Cannabis Advisory Council representatives whose comments varied from friendly to confrontational.

Legislation to exempt registered medical cannabis patients from the State excise tax on compliant products received a near unanimous policy committee recommendation, but was not taken up by its fiscal committee.