Washington State Hemp in Food Task Force
(WA Hemp in Food Task Force)

As task force members and agency staff condensed their findings into legislative reports, the WSLCB policy team prepared to form a new work group on “Cannabinoid Science.”

The task force received an overview of cannabis extraction and product formulation processes and heard status reports from two work groups as an October 31st deadline drew near.

Larger cultural movements surfaced in the microcosm of cannabis policymaking as senators heard about retail theft and safety experts considered their goal of zero traffic fatalities by 2030.

Two work groups presented draft recommendations to the full task force covering product scope and requirements, as well as definitions for ‘hemp extract’ and classification of cannabinoids.

As the WA Hemp in Food Task Force continued honing recommendations, WSLCB staff would host a new “world café” event to gather feedback on canopy before issuing proposed rules.

Members got an extensive review of hemp in food policies in other states, learned five principles regulators wanted recommendations to prioritize, and debated scheduling their next meeting.

The Hemp in Food Task Force had a new October 31st deadline to deliver recommendations, and the pesticide testing “phase in” deadline for wholesale to retail sales was set for Friday.

After two meeting cancellations, the Washington State Hemp in Food Task Force was scheduled to convene on Wednesday to receive “requested direction, guidance, and timelines.”

It could be a controversial week for cannabis policy in Washington state given debates around social equity rules and research concerns about “High THC Cannabis Products.”

After a critical briefing was postponed, task force members offered high-level updates from two work groups and reiterated a need to collect appropriate data to produce a timely report.