Laws and Rules

What We Do

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) is granted authority by the Washington State Legislature to regulate the production, sale, and distribution of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and vapor products in the state of Washington. Through rulemaking, we support the agency's mission to promote public safety and trust through fair administration and enforcement of liquor, cannabis, tobacco, and vapor laws. Our rules impact licensees, the public, and stakeholders, including businesses like grocery stores, restaurants, bars, and cannabis retail outlets, as well as breweries, wineries, distilleries, and cannabis producers and processors, just to name a few. Our licensing division and enforcement and education division implement and enforce our rules.

We are committed to transparency, accountability, equity, and inclusion in rulemaking. Sign up for email updates about rulemaking activities and opportunities for public engagement (link). We offer many opportunities for the public to participate in policy and rule development! Learn how the rulemaking process works and ways to engage with us (link). 

For information about upcoming Public Hearings related to rulemaking

• Visit our public hearings and outreach webpage at: lcb.wa.gov/publichearings 

Recent Rulemaking Activities

• Wednesday, June 25, 2025:
  • The Board approved a CR 101 (preproposal statement of inquiry) to amend WAC 314-55-102 related to a petition for rulemaking accepted by the Board in 2024 to expand cannabis heavy metal testing requirements.
    • Link to materials
       
• Petition for rulemaking
  • The Board received a rulemaking petition on June 16, 2025, related to cannabis unfair trade practices. The Board has until August 15, 2025, to take action on this petition.
    • Petition for rulemaking, June 16, 2025
       
• Wednesday, June 18, 2025:
  • The Board approved a CR 103 (final rules) to amend WAC 314-55-015 to allow minors (< 21 years old) on non-retail cannabis premises under certain conditions. These rules go into effect on July 19, 2025.
    • Link to materials
  • The Board approved a CR 102 (proposed rulemaking) to amend WAC 314-02-045 to allow seasonal operation for beer and/or wine restaurants.
    • Link to materials
       
• Wednesday, June 4, 2025:
  • The Board approved a CR 101 (preproposal statement of inquiry) to amend WAC 314-55-083 related to a petition for rulemaking accepted by LCB in 2023 to allow batch tracking of cannabis plants.
    • Link to materials
       
  • The Board approved a CR 101 (preproposal statement of inquiry) to amend WAC 314-55-050(2) to re-define how to measure the 1,000 feet buffer required between a licensed cannabis premises and restricted entities such as schools.
    • Link to materials
       
  • The Board approved a CR 102 (proposed rulemaking) to amend WAC 314-11-025 and WAC 314-55-150 regarding acceptable forms of identification for purchase of alcohol and cannabis.
    • Link to materials
       
• Wednesday, May 7, 2025:
  • The Board approved a CR 101 (preproposal statement of inquiry) to implement 2SHB 1515 related to expanded outdoor alcohol service.
    • Link to materials
       
  • The Board accepted a Petition for Rulemaking requesting amendments to Title 314 WAC related to cannabis testing terminology.
    • Board response to petition to amend Title 314 WAC
       
• Wednesday, April 23, 2025:
  • The Board approved a CR 103 (final rules) to implement 2SHB 2151 (Transfer of authority for accreditation of cannabis testing labs):
    • Link to materials
       
  • The Board approved a Supplemental CR 102 (proposed rulemaking) to allow minors on non-retail cannabis premises:
    • Link to materials
    • Public Hearing on proposed rulemaking is June 5, 2025, at 10 a.m. (PST)
      • In-person attendees:
        • Meeting room at LCB headquarters building in Olympia (1025 Union Avenue, Olympia, WA 98504)
      • Virtual attendees:
        • Register to provide verbal comments by emailing publichearings@lcb.wa.gov prior to hearing.
        • To Join Meeting via Microsoft Teams use the following link:  Join the meeting now
        • (Meeting ID: 244 141 551 603 2, Passcode: M3P8SE9X) 
           
• The Board approved a CR 101 (preproposal statement of inquiry) to consider amending WAC 314-02-045 to allow seasonal operation for beer and/or wine restaurants.
  • Link to materials
     
• The Board denied two Petitions for Rulemaking to amend WAC 314-55-095 and WAC 314-55-105 related to packaging of cannabis.
  • Board Response to amend WAC 314-55-095
  • Board Response to amend WAC 314-55-105
     
• The Board denied a Petition for Rulemaking on RCW 66.24.395.
  • Petition for Rulemaking
  • Board Response
     
• Wednesday, February 26, 2025:
  • The Board approved a CR 102 (proposed rulemaking) to implement 2SHB 2151 (Transfer of authority for accreditation of cannabis testing labs)
    • Link to materials
  • The Board denied a petition for rulemaking submitted on the Social Equity in Cannabis program.
    • Petition for Rulemaking
    • Board Response
       
• Monday, Feb. 3 and Thursday, Feb. 6: 2SHB 2151 (Transfer of authority for accreditation of cannabis testing labs)
  • Information about Stakeholder Engagement Sessions and draft rules
  • Monday Feb. 3, Correct time: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and Thursday Feb. 6, 1-3 p.m.
     

For older materials, see Current Rulemaking Activity.