The Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee (WA Senate LBRC) considers issues relating to employment standards, industrial insurance, unemployment insurance and collective bargaining. The committee also considers regulation of business and professions and has oversight of commerce issues relating to alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and gaming.
Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee
(WA Senate LBRC)

WA Senate LBRC - Work Session (November 30, 2020) - Social Equity
Senators heard a status report on the social equity task force, concerns from past and prospective applicants, and a rebuttal from WSLCB staff on licensing decision making.
WA Senate LBRC - Work Session (November 30, 2020) - Medical Cannabis
During a panel on medical cannabis, Senate President Pro Tempore Karen Keiser announced previous legislation to make cannabis more affordable for medical patients would be reintroduced.
WA Senate LBRC - Work Session (November 30, 2020) - In Brief
State and local officials as well as cannabis industry stakeholders discussed the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force, excise taxes on medical marijuana, and a cannabis research commission.
The Week Ahead (November 30, 2020)
On Monday, legislators in both chambers planned to review social equity within the cannabis industry, medical marijuana, a proposed cannabis commission, and the WSLCB’s status.
WA Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis - Public Meeting (October 26, 2020) - Meet the Members
Meet the 18 appointed members of the Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis in our first post on the inaugural meeting of this group.
WA Senate LBRC - Work Session (September 28, 2020) - Criminal Activity
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 - Engagement - BIPOC (October 5, 2020) - Summary
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.
WSLCB - Engagement - BIPOC (September 29, 2020) - Summary
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.
The Week Ahead (September 28, 2020)
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 - Executive Management Team Meeting (September 16, 2020) - Legislative Work Sessions
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.