Enforcement and Education

enforcement

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis  Board (WSLCB) Enforcement and Education Division is responsible for enforcing state liquor, cannabis, tobacco and vapor laws and regulations. Officers provide education to liquor, cannabis and tobacco licensed businesses, communities, and local law enforcement agencies.

Enforcement officers are limited-authority, commissioned law enforcement officers. Enforcement operations include premises visits, compliance checks, undercover operations, and complaint investigations, while educational efforts include liquor and cannabis law briefings, technical assistance visits, and "Responsible Alcohol, Cannabis, Tobacco and Vapor Sales" classes.

Division headquarters is located in Olympia, while captains, lieutenants, and officers are based out of offices located around the state.
 

The division includes:

  • Headquarters. Houses the director, deputy chiefs, hearings officer, customer service unit, criminal history records coordinator, training lieutenant, program manager, management analyst and administrative support.
     
  • Retail and Non-Retail Enforcement. Officers ensure state liquor, cannabis  tobacco and vapor laws and regulations are being followed at licensed businesses such as restaurants, grocery stores, nightclubs and taverns. Officers ensure state liquor, tobacco and cannabis laws and regulations are being followed at licensed businesses such as restaurants, grocery stores, nightclubs and taverns.
     
  • Cannabis Enforcement. Officers enforce cannabis laws and regulations that impact cannabis licensed businesses. Examples includes cannabis producers and processors.
     
  • Tobacco Tax Unit. Officers enforce the tobacco tax laws of Washington. They inspect cigarette and Other Tobacco Product retailers, wholesalers and distributors, and investigate and halt illegal acquisition and shipments of cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products by persons and businesses not licensed to sell them.

    • The mission of the unit is to ensure that businesses that sell tobacco in Washington State are:

      • Properly licensed

      • Have paid the appropriate state taxes

      • Keep tobacco out of the hands of those under 21 years of age

    • Officers inspect cigarette and Other Tobacco Product (OTP) retailers, wholesalers and distributors, and investigate and halt illegal acquisition and shipments of cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products by persons and businesses not licensed to sell them. The unit also conducts retail/wholesale tobacco inspections leading to the identification of unpaid taxes on tobacco products.

 

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