The Cannabis Alliance

After a full week of WSLCB board activity, the Cannabis Alliance planned to host the ninth annual Washington State Cannabis Summit to engage with contemporary cannabis issues.

Efforts to draft improved cannabis testing and additive rules drew skepticism and questions from attendees worried about testing standards, synthetic cannabinoids, enforcement, and more.

In looking at rulemaking implementing definitional and retail medical endorsement changes, various parties were interested in impacts for producing and selling hemp consumables in 502.

Officials outlined a transition period to take on accreditation authority in parallel with revising standards, including method approval and when enforcement of new standards would start.

Attendees had many suggestions and questions for WSLCB staff regarding draft rules for medically endorsed retailers, with emphasis around expected levels of enforcement.

Senators decided the “high THC” bill was similar enough to a companion to skip a public hearing; all testimony on the bill to exempt patients from cannabis excise taxes was supportive.

Testimony on cannabis commission legislation showed an industry divided over benefits and costs, plus the committee recommended bills on cannabis waste and THC-based taxation.

Lawmakers heard bills on a tax exemption for registered medical patients and transferring lab accreditation, passing the former, then amended and recommended a THC bill without a public hearing.

11 cannabis-related bills remained subject to the next cutoff on Wednesday but the WSLCB data dashboard bill and inversion/diversion legislation were particularly poorly positioned.

Lawmakers heard similar testimony during the fiscal considerations of a high THC regulation bill as was given in the policy hearing and later decided not to move the measure.