Marijuana Infused Edible Review Update

Dear Licensee,  

This is a follow up message to the Oct. 25, 2018 message on the packaging and labeling of infused products deadline.

Since that meeting, the coalition of CORE, the Cannabis Alliance and the Washington Cannabusiness Association met with the Board and made its formal recommendations. The LCB has also received public input. Staff are currently reviewing the proposal and drafting a recommendation to the Board. That recommendation will be shared with the Board on Nov. 28, 2018.

Should you have additional input, please submit them to labelapproval@lcb.wa.gov

Note to Retailers: If the packaging and product has already been approved by the Board, you may accept and sell at retail. 

Background
On May 2, 2018, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) adopted new rules regarding packaging and labeling of marijuana infused products. In order to lessen the impact to licensees, a phase-in approach was used with the adoption of Board Interim Policy BIP-05-2018 giving licensees until January 1, 2019 to become compliant. Due to feedback received about both the January 1, 2019 deadline and the marijuana infused edible product review, staff will bring a proposal before the Board to amend the interim policy date for full compliance to June 1, 2019. The Board will review the proposal at their October 31, 2018 meeting. 

Some industry members expressed concerns following a marijuana-infused candy presentation at the regularly scheduled Board meeting. A message was sent soon after clarifying the agency’s process for product and label review. Since the announcement, agency staff have had additional conversations with industry members and industry trade organizations that requested the LCB halt its product review and allow time for stakeholders to be heard. Specifically, a coalition of CORE, the Cannabis Alliance and Washington Cannabusiness Association together formally wrote the LCB requesting the same.

The agency agreed to halt the product review for 30 days and announced during that time will accept input from licensees and trade organizations regarding alternatives for the agency to consider. Coalition members have indicated that they will be meeting later this month to discuss their proposal(s) and will present them to the agency. We will communicate the outcome of these discussions by Nov. 12, 2018.

The LCB will continue to accept label, package and product submissions prior to the newly proposed deadline. If you have infused edible products that are not presently being discussed for compliance, please submit them to labelapproval@lcb.wa.gov using the new requirements.

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