The Week Ahead
(October 28, 2019)

The WSLCB convenes its cannabis potency tax work group to review BOTEC’s feasibility study and hosts a listen and learn forum on revisions to the AVN penalty matrix.

Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on Cannabis Observer’s calendars in the week ahead.

Tuesday October 29th

On Tuesday at 10am PT @ WSLCB, the weekly Board Caucus recurs.

On Tuesday at 11am PT @ WSLCB, the Cannabis Potency Tax Work Group convenes for the third of four planned meetings.

  • The work group first convened on August 22nd to address a legislative request for recommendations about “varying the marijuana excise tax rate based on product potency.” The work group met again on October 3rd to dive into the motivations for and feasibility of a system of taxation tied more or less loosely to measured cannabinoid concentration.
  • On Tuesday, the work group will review a draft of the “Cannabis Potency Tax Feasibility Study” prepared by BOTEC Analysis for the WSLCB. This lengthy document by some of the concept’s original authors will likely accompany the work group’s report to the legislature.
  • The draft feasibility study was provided to work group participants with an explicit request not to share it more widely. Participants have also asked that Cannabis Observer not record their deliberations.

Wednesday October 30th

On Wednesday at 10am PT @ WSLCB, the bi-weekly Board Meeting recurs.

On Wednesday at 1:30pm PT @ WSLCB, the three-member Board and agency leadership convene their weekly Executive Management Team (EMT) meeting.

Thursday October 31st

On Thursday at 10am PT @ WSLCB, the monthly Marijuana Traceability Project (MTP) Integrator Work Session recurs. This is not a formal public meeting, but is open to the public.

On Thursday at 1pm PT @ WSLCB, the agency hosts a second listen and learn forum for the Cannabis Penalties rulemaking project [ agenda ].

  • This rulemaking project is an expansive rewrite of rules covering administrative violation notices (AVNs) required by SB 5318, the Enforcement reorganization bill. The agency hosted an initial listen and learn forum on September 26th and formally announced the second forum on October 4th. WSLCB Cannabis Policy and Rules Coordinator Kathy Hoffman presented her last update on the rulemaking project at the October 16th board meeting.
  • On Thursday, participants will offer feedback on proposed revisions to the penalty matrix, which begins on page 14 of the redline version of the draft conceptual rules shared in August, or page 13 of the non-redline version.