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The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) has rescheduled a Listen and Learn forum about draft conceptual rules regarding the voluntary cannabis licensee consultation and education program to accommodate concerns around the COVID-19 outbreak.
The meeting originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 20020 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. has been changed to Tuesday, March 17, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. via zoom only. This meeting is being conducted in a virtual environment in alignment with guidance and recommendations issued by the Governor’s office.
As you may recall, the Board began to consider revisions to existing enforcement guidelines by initiating a formal rule inquiry under in October, 2018. Those efforts were extended by the passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5318 during the 2019 regular session of the Washington State legislature, and a completely redesigned penalty rule framework was adopted on January 22, 2020.
ESSB 5318 emphasized a strong focus on compliance, education, and enforcement in the oversight of the regulated cannabis market. The bill mandated that in addition to revising existing penalty rules, that the Board adopt rules to perfect and expand existing programs for compliance education for licensed cannabis businesses and their employees. The program must include recommendations on abating violations described in chapter 69.50 RCW, and be developed in consultation with licensees and their employees. The Board approved the filing of a CR101 on July 17, 2019 as WSR 19-15-074 to begin this work.
Following recruitment of licensees, WSLCB held two meetings to develop the draft conceptual rules we’ll be discussing during this Listen and Learn session. These draft conceptual rules reflect an engaged and inclusive developmental process that embodies not only WSLCB’s commitment to regulatory stability and consistency, but the intent of ESSB 5318, and the input of licensees.
An agenda is attached to help you prepare. Please come prepared to offer feedback and suggestions regarding this new rule section and the draft conceptual rules.
Please remember that we are still in the developmental phase of rulemaking, and these are not proposed or final rules. To help you prepare for this listen/learn/contribute forum, please review the guidance document prepared for this and future forums.
Questions? Contact Kathy Hoffman at katherine.hoffman@lcb.wa.gov
To join the zoom meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/209320724?pwd=THljajRPTHBud1lGcUZxYko4aEp5QT09
Meeting ID: 209 320 724
Password: 240732
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