Evergreen Market

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.

Staff received more input on how draft agency request bills on contract growing for patients and advertising changes might potentially impact patients, businesses, and the cannabis market.

Several cannabis retailers conveyed experiences and policies on reducing robberies, but local officials and others pushed for more organized and proactive enforcement approaches.

Feedback on a bill to legalize out-of-state cannabis license ownership was divided: some companies anticipated benefits while others viewed the move as only helping larger entities.

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

Several cannabis retailers told lawmakers licensed businesses were diverting products to illegal cannabis markets while calling for enforcement, licensing, and reporting changes.

The WSDA Legislative Liaison reviewed department work impacting hemp and cannabis rules before taking questions about staffing and issues expected in the 2023 legislative session.

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.

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.

With continued advocacy from Washington CannaBusiness Association members, the council approved a motion to create a cannabis business security task force in King County.