Traceability Advisory Committee
I am writing to update you on the status of the traceability system transition. The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) and new vendor MJ Freeway are working diligently to prepare for the October 31, 2017 transition from the current platform to the Leaf Data Systems (MJ Freeway’s non-commercial traceability system). We are making great progress but recently made some adjustments in our team and routine to get us across the line.
Daily Stand Ups
We have consolidated our business and technical standup meetings into a single, required, daily meeting where staff report progress on their daily assignments. These daily meetings ensure staff and vendor resources are placed where they are most efficient and effective toward meeting our mutual goal of a smooth transition come month’s end.
Training
To help our licensees learn how to use the new Leaf system, WSLCB is working in conjunction with Leaf Data Systems vendor MJ Freeway to provide a variety of training materials. Recorded webinars on how to use the new Leaf system along with accompanying handouts and the Leaf user manual are available on the Traceability Training page on the LCB website at lcb.wa.gov. We will soon post videos/webinars of how to perform specific tasks and functions within the system.
In addition, live general overview sessions providing an overview of the Leaf system are currently underway across the state. Most of the remaining in-person, seminar-style training sessions still have spaces available. Two sessions are offered per day. Previously, registration for live training sessions was limited to one person per license. That restriction has now been lifted for all classes, except the October 16 sessions in Everett and the October 19 sessions in Tacoma. Please see the Traceability Training page for information on how to add additional attendees from your business.
Contract Extension Request Update
As we’ve reported at previous Traceability Advisory Committee meetings, due to the very compressed timeline for the transition from the current traceability vendor platform to the new vendor platform, we have sought a contract extension. At one point, the current vendor offered a multi-year contract extension. However, the LCB was seeking a short-term extension measured in months.
Several weeks ago I met with representatives from the current vendor, BioTrack THC. At that meeting, BioTrack the CEO indicated that his company would consider a short-term extension. I followed up with him to let him know that we are seeking a three-month extension. These talks continue.
Of course, any contract terms must take into account the needs and resources of all affected parties. The LCB stands ready to quickly secure that extension should we have terms that are agreeable.
Thanks you again for your continued commitment to this project. We will continue to communicate with you as we approach the transition deadline. In the meantime, please be sure you’re taking the training available to you, sharing this communication with your members and watching our website for the latest information.
Sincerely,
Peter Antolin
Deputy Director and Project Executive Sponsor