The Cannabis Alliance

Besides a call for minor changes to rules implementing a patient tax exemption, board members heard about an alleged “bait and switch” tactic being used on some equity applicants.

Agency leaders covered request legislation and a possible hemp bill; applications advancing in the social equity program; along with research and traceability updates.

A full week of policymaking at WSLCB would be followed by an industry attempt to bridge gaps within the cannabis community caused by inequitable federal treatment of marijuana and hemp.

Participants offered feedback to DOH staff questions related to their medical cannabis testing requirements and then posed questions of their own to officials.

Staff and attendees traded ideas for collaboration around messaging and regulation of high THC items, along with developing more respectful dialogue between industry and public health groups.

Participants had so much feedback for WSLCB staff soliciting ideas on education and policy changes related to high THC cannabis products that officials considered additional meetings.

Legislative ideas for 2025, lengthy cannabis label approvals, updates from CANNRA, traceability, and a reminder about canopy were all brought up by staff or board members.

Respecting Juneteenth, WSLCB members rescheduled their board meeting to Tuesday and would incidentally consider three rulemaking petitions from social equity applicants.

Staff claimed several rulemaking projects and petitions would be advanced in June and July, no one spoke at a public hearing, and members of the public voiced complaints.

Panelists representing regulators and licensees in Washington and elsewhere weighed in on issues and challenges affecting innovation in the cannabis sector before taking questions.