Washington State Legislature
(WA Legislature)

WSLCB Director Rick Garza and Policy and Rules Manager Kathy Hoffman signed into the Alliance’s monthly webinar for 45 minutes to provide an update and answer member questions.

The WSLCB hosted a public hearing on proposed cannabis product safety rules, opened two new rulemaking projects, and heard the most public comments since the start of the pandemic.

Agency leadership discussed the WSLCB’s emerging plans for implementation of HB 2870’s marijuana social equity program and rulemaking timelines were advanced.

WSLCB cancelled most of its public meetings while the State Board of Health prepared to extend its vitamin E acetate prohibition and convene the Marijuana Social Equity Task Force.

WSLCB Director Rick Garza spoke at length about the agency’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, and hints were offered about the resumption of regular rulemaking.

Where does all the cannabis money go? Taxes from cannabis sales were utilized for a multitude of purposes and cannabis-related policymaking was funded by the Legislature.

Five cannabis-related bills and the supplemental operating budget remain active as the Washington State Legislature’s short session draws to a close on Thursday.

Discussion of “problematic” budget provisos and a review of what happened with HB 2870 engaged the Board while concerns about COVID-19 began to spread.

The legislature is getting more creative in its handling of cannabis-related bills and budget provisos as the close of the regular session approaches on March 12th.