The Enforcement and Education Division receives focused attention this week from WSLCB leadership and the independent consultant hired to assess agency culture and practice.
Here’s a look at the week ahead plus a bonus perk at the end.
Monday
On Monday July 29th at 2:30pm PT @ WSLCB, the agency planned to host an internal webinar to communicate the new Board Interim Policy (BIP) on traceability to the entire Education and Enforcement division.
- BIP 13-2019 was adopted during an unusual visit by key agency staff to last week’s Board Caucus. Director of Communications Brian Smith mentioned the webinar during last week’s Executive Management Team public meeting, noting Director Rick Garza, Cannabis Examiner Manager Kendra Hodgson, and Enforcement Chief Justin Nordhorn would speak but not take questions.
- The WSLCB subsequently invited “select trade group representatives” to view the webinar in “the spirit of transparency.” The Cannabis Alliance responded by asking Cannabis Observer to observe the event.
Tuesday
On Tuesday July 30th at 10am PT @ WSLCB, the weekly Board Caucus recurs.
On Tuesday July 30th at 7pm PT @ Green River College, Hillard Heintze planned to host a facilitated “Enforcement and Education Division Review Forum” in Auburn as part of their efforts to “review all aspects of operations and management in this division, including policies, complaint intake and investigations, internal processes, and training and accountability.”
- The Chicago-based, independent law enforcement consultancy began conducting interviews within the agency in early June in addition to interviews with both cannabis and alcohol licensees.
- The public forums, announced in mid-July, were intended to solicit input from licensees unable to visit the consultants in Olympia. No LCB staff will be present.
Wednesday
On Wednesday July 31st at 1:30pm PT @ WSLCB, the three-member Board and agency leadership convene their weekly Executive Management Team meeting, currently on a bi-weekly cadence.
On Wednesday July 31st at 7pm PT @ Spokane Community College, Hillard Heintze planned to travel across the state to host another facilitated “Enforcement and Education Division Review Forum” in Spokane. See the agency announcement for details.
Thursday
On Thursday August 1st at 10am PT @ WSLCB, the bi-weekly Marijuana Traceability Project (MTP) Integrator Work Session will most likely recur, although it has not been scheduled yet. This is not a formal public meeting, but is open to interested parties.
BONUS PERK
Cannabis Observer has created a Google Calendar for all WSLCB Cannabis events. You can find the calendar embedded in the WSLCB screen on the Cannabis Observer website.
You can also access the calendar directly on the web.
If you’re using Google’s products, add the calendar to your collection using the “+ Google Calendar” button in the lower right hand corner.
For Apple users, add the calendar using this iCal link.
Cannabis Observer will maintain this calendar going forward. Please let us know if/when we miss any events or event cancellations so that information can be communicated out swiftly.
A big thank you to Cannabis Observer sponsors Shawn DeNae Wagenseller, Founder of Washington Bud Company, and Crystal Oliver, Executive Director of the Washington SunGrowers Industry Association (WSIA), for their requests for an agency calendar.