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). 

Make a difference. Let Your Voice Be Heard!

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). 

News, Updates, and Events

Current and Upcoming

• Wednesday, July 31, 2024:

  1. THC Bill CR-102: Request Board approval to file the CR-102 to implement E2SSB 5367 (THC Bill)
  2. Social Equity Program CR-102: Request Board approval to file the CR-102 to implement E2SSB 5080, related to expanding and improving the Social Equity in Cannabis Program
  3. Flexible Payment Terms CR-102: Request Board approval to file CR-102 for the Flexible Payment Terms rulemaking being conducted in response to a 2023 rule petition
  4. Liquor& Cannabis Board Acronym CR-103: Request Board approval to file the CR-103 to adopt final rules changing the acronym of the agency from "WLSCB" to "LCB" (expedited rulemaking)

Recent 

• Wednesday, July 17, 2024:
  • The Board approved a CR 102 on implementing Substitute House Bill 1453 on the Medical Cannabis Patient Excise Tax Exemption. There is a formal comment period open until the public hearing on August 28, 2024.
    • Notice to Stakeholders
    • Memorandum
    • CR 102 filed as WSR 24-15-066 on July 17, 2024
       
  • The Board approved a CR 101 on implementing Second Substitute House Bill 2151 to Transfer Cannabis Testing Laboratory Accreditation to the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Public comments are open until August 16, 2024.
    • Notice to Stakeholders
    • Memorandum
    • CR 101 filed as WSR 24-15-067 on July 17, 2024. 
       
  • The Board denied a petition to consider amending WAC 314-55-095 regarding increasing the existing 10 mg THC serving limit for edibles.
    • Petition for Rulemaking
    • Petition Response July 17, 2024
       

• Tuesday, June 18, 2024:
  • The Board denied a petition to consider amending WAC 314-55-106 regarding the "principal display panel" of cylindrical cannabis packages.
    • Petition for Rulemaking

• Tuesday, June 18, 2024:
  • The board accepted three Petitions for Rulemaking regarding amending or repealing WAC 314-55-570 regarding social equity license mobility. .
    • Petition for Rulemaking 1
    • Petition for Rulemaking 2
    • Petition for Rulemaking 3

• Tuesday, June 18, 2024:
  • The Board approved a CR 103 on the Prohibited Conduct rulemaking, repealing WAC 314-11-050. The repeal will be effective July 19, 2024.
    • Concise Explanatory Statement
    • Memorandum
    • CR 103P filed as WSR 24-13-096 on June 18, 2024

• The Board approved a CR 103 on Medical Cannabis Endorsement rulemaking, amending WAC 314-55-080. The rule changes will be effective July 19, 2024.
  • Concise Explanatory Statement
  • Memorandum
  • CR 103P filed as WSR 24-13-095 on June 18, 2024

• Wednesday, May 22, 2024:
  • The Board denied a petition to consider banning single use "disposable" (cannabis) vape devices that contain lithium ion batteries.
    • Petition for Rulemaking
    • May 22, 2024 Response to Petition for Rulemaking
       
  • The Board approved a petition to consider amending WAC 314-55-035 to address employees participating in Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP) and true parties of interest.
    • Petition for Rulemaking
    • May 22, 2024 Response to Petition for Rulemaking
  • The Board approved a CR 101 on Cannabis Waste. There is an informal comment period open until July 6.
    • Notice to Stakeholders
    • Memorandum
    • CR-101 filed as WSR 24-11-158 on May 22, 2024

• Wednesday, May 8, 2024:
  • The Board approved a CR 101 on Cannabis Flexible Payment Terms. There is an informal comment period open until June 20.
    • Notice to Stakeholders
    • Memorandum
    • CR-101 filed as WSR 24-11-035 on May 8, 2024
    • March 2023 Response to Petition for Rulemaking
  • The Board approved a CR 105 on updating the LCB acronym and name in Title 314 WAC. The formal comment period open until July 22, 2023.
    • Notice to Stakeholders
    • Memorandum
    • CR-105 filed as WSR 24-11-037 on May 8, 2024
    • Proposed Rules
  • The Board approved a petition to update current rules with gender-neutral pronouns in Title 314 WAC.
    • Approved Petition
    • Petition for Rulemaking (pdf)

• Wednesday, April 24, 2024:
  • The Board approved a CR 101 on Implementing Substitute House Bill 1453 on Medical Cannabis Excise Tax Exemption. There is an informal comment period open until May 29.
    • Notice to Stakeholders
    • Memorandum
    • CR 101 filed as WSR 24-10-042 on April 24, 2024
    • CR 101 Board Approval and Tentative Timeline
    • SHB 1453
  • The Board approved a CR 102 on Medical Cannabis Endorsements. There is a formal comment period open until the public hearing scheduled for June 5.
    • Notice to Stakeholders
    • Memorandum
    • CR 102 filed as WSR 24-10-043 on April 24, 2024
  • The Board approved a CR 102 on Prohibited Conduct rulemaking. There is a formal comment period open until the public hearing scheduled for June 5.
    • Notice to Stakeholders
    • Memorandum
    • CR 102 filed as WSR 24-10-044 on April 24, 2024
    • ESSB 6105
       

• Wednesday, March 27, 2024:
  • The Board approved a CR-103 for permanent rules to implement ESSB 5365 (2023) related to increased penalties for selling tobacco and vapor products to people under 21: 
    • Memorandum
    • Concise Explanatory Statement
    • CR-103P filed as WSR 24-08-040 on March 27, 2024
  • The Board denied a rulemaking petition to change WAC 314-55-083.
    • Petition Response
    • Petition for rulemaking
       

• Wednesday, March 13, 2024: The board approved a petition to consider initiating rulemaking to amend WAC 314-55-105 regarding cannabis harvest dates on product labels .
  • Approved Petition
  • Petition for Rulemaking (pdf)
  • Supplementary documentation from petitioner (pdf)
     

• Wednesday, February 28, 2024: The Board approved the CR 101 on Minors on Non-Retail Cannabis Premises Rulemaking. Public comment is open until March 29, 2024. To submit written comments, please email the rules team at rules@lcb.wa.gov
  • Notice to Stakeholders
  • Memorandum
  • CR 101 filed as WSR 24-06-026 on February 28, 2024
  • Petition Response U16 minors on cannabis premises
  • Petition Response U21 contractors on cannabis premises