Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee
(WA Senate LBRC)

Senators requested and received a brief update from WSLCB on “criminal activity” which we elaborate on to describe the agency’s enforcement actions and participation in drug task forces.

WSLCB leadership listened during more than two hours of community feedback, provided some feedback of their own, and shared new details about the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force.

An at times contentious facilitated meeting provided an opportunity for agency leadership to hear from people of color about social equity in the industry and WSLCB’s practices.

Amidst ten meetings of potential interest, the week ahead would reveal cannabis policymaking intentions at the legislature, the WSLCB, and substance use prevention organizations.

WSLCB Director of Legislative Relations Chris Thompson provided a briefing to the agency’s Executive Management Team (EMT) on staff participation in two fall work sessions hosted by the Legislature’s primary cannabis policy committees.

The technological leap into remote meetings required by the State’s response to the pandemic continued to challenge the WSLCB’s commitment to transparency.

Senators heard and moved both WSLCB agency request bills, HB 2826 on marijuana vapor products and HB 2870 on social equity in the cannabis industry.

LBRC hosted a second committee meeting on Tuesday afternoon during which members considered amendments to, and passage of, HB 2870.

7 cannabis-related bills remained in motion as the Washington State House and Senate began considering opposite chamber bills prior to Friday’s policy committee cutoff.

Agency leadership heard a briefing on cannabis-related legislation still active and otherwise, including both agency requests and bills introduced by other stakeholders.