Washington CannaBusiness Association
(WACA)

At four tables with small groups of lawmakers, WACA members and meeting attendees honed arguments in support of lower taxes, more advertising, vertical integration, and out of state ownership.

WSLCB leaders heard about national and regional conferences staff had participated in along with updates on media requests, traceability, and a “strategic plan” for social equity communications.

A group of conference attendees talked about enforcement practices, licensing changes, the incipient social equity program, and rulemaking challenges with WSLCB leaders.

WSLCB Chair David Postman opened up about tensions between regulators and licensees, the need to refine cannabis policies, and his wish for the agency to be “a positive force in moving this industry."

Attendees heard about the WSDA hemp program and projects their staff were involved with, then asked about hemp testing and the possibility of Ag regulating cannabis production.

The locus of cannabis policymaking in Washington state would temporarily shift to Walla Walla as an influential trade association convened legislators and regulators to confer and commingle.

Board members adopted revisions to pesticide action level rules, planned to begin “hybrid” in-person and virtual events the following week, and heard public comments on retail licensing.

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

The committee heard about a motion to create a cannabis security task force to address robberies in the area, amending wording and scope before recommending it to the full council.

Legislative leaders of cannabis policy committees talked about a few successes in 2022, and the more numerous failures around medical cannabis, equity, and cannabinoid regulation bills.