The Cannabis Alliance

Legislation to permit out-of-state ownership and suspend inactive producers received mostly supportive testimony, with opposition centered on equity implications from the change.

Legislators continued to undertake cannabis bills slowly, especially in the senate, but perennial subjects like out-of-state ownership had been positioned for consideration.

Looking to add flexibility to when retailers could pay for cannabis deliveries was popular with most people testifying, but two speakers felt the change would end up being unfair to suppliers.

A bill to open Washington cannabis businesses to interstate commerce under certain conditions drew unified support from the sector, but opposition from advocates who prioritized social equity.

Comments on a bill to ban pre-employment cannabis testing for many businesses got supportive testimony from the cannabis sector, labor interests, and police, with some business voices dissenting.

Several cannabis sector stakeholders talked with the board about their concerns and opportunities during a discussion marking the tenth anniversary of the passage of I-502.

Board members denied a petition on use of customer ID data, rescinded an interim traceability policy, and heard public comments about the promised social equity retail program.

WSLCB members would discuss 10 years of I-502 with an industry panel and the Hemp in Food Task Force was scheduled for a final review of their report to the legislature.

The chair of the WA House cannabis policy committee commented on her background as well as legislative concerns and strategies she expected to hear during the 2023 session.

As the initial social equity effort was prepared for completion, staff looked ahead to rulemaking projects, a new petition, and two agency work groups being set up.