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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

Recent Rulemaking Activities

  • Wednesday, July 23, 2025:
    • The Board approved a CR 101 (preproposal statement of inquiry) to implement ESSB 5403 related to financial interest and management agreements for cannabis retailers.
    • The Board approved a CR 101 (preproposal statement of inquiry) related to a petition for rulemaking accepted by the Board in 2023 to consider extending the expiration date for cannabis certificates of analysis (COA).
  • 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.
    • The Board approved a CR 101 (preproposal statement of inquiry) to amend WAC 314-55-310 related to a petition for rulemaking accepted by the Board in 2024 involving cannabis transportation to allow cross-docking of cannabis at fulfillment distribution hubs.
  • Monday, June 16, 2025:
    • 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.
    • The Board approved a CR 102 (proposed rulemaking) to amend WAC 314-02-045 to allow seasonal operation for beer and/or wine restaurants.
  • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
  • Wednesday, May 7, 2025:

For older materials, see Current Rulemaking Activity.
 
April 2025 Updates (no March Updates)
  • 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):
    • 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.
    • The Board denied two Petitions for Rulemaking to amend WAC 314-55-095 and WAC 314-55-105 related to packaging of cannabis.
    • The Board denied a Petition for Rulemaking on RCW 66.24.395.
February 2025 Updates
January 2025 Updates
  • Wednesday, January 29, 2025:
  • Wednesday, January 29, 2025:
    • The Board approved a supplemental CR-102 (proposed rulemaking) on Cannabis Samples. Public comment is currently open until Mar. 12, 2025.

 

  • Wednesday, January 15, 2025:
    • The Board approved a CR-101 (preproposal statement of inquiry) on Retail Alcohol Product Placement rulemaking.
    • The Board approved a CR-102 (proposed rule making) to allow Minors on Non-Retail Cannabis Premises.
    • The Board approved a CR-102 (proposed rule making) to implement SSB 5376 authorizing the sale of cannabis waste by licensed cannabis producers and processors to persons who are not cannabis licensees under certain conditions.
December 2024 Updates

 

November 2024 Updates

 

October 2024 Updates

 

September 2024 Updates