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).
News, Updates, and Events
Upcoming
-
Wednesday, September 11, 2024:
- The Board will consider a petition to amend WAC 314-55-310 regarding cannabis transport.
-
Wednesday, September 25, 2024:
- The Board will consider three petitions regarding the inclusion of certificate holders in the Social Equity Program.
Recent
-
Wednesday, August 14, 2024:
- The Board approved filing a CR 102 to amend WAC 314-55-096 related to Cannabis Sampling.
- The Board denied three petitions regarding social equity cannabis license mobility
- The Board approved filing a CR 101 on Implementing House Bill 2204 on Emergency Liquor Permits. There is an informal comment period open until September 14, 2024.
-
Wednesday, July 31, 2024:
-
The Board approved filing the CR-103 regarding the acronym used for the agency, replacing "WSLCB" with "LCB"
- Concise Explanatory Statement
- Memorandum
- CR 103P filed as WSR 24-16-064 on July 31, 2024
- The Board approved filing the CR-102 to implement Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill (E2SSB) 5367, concerning the regulation of products containing THC. The public comment period is open until the public hearing on September 11, 2024.
- The Board approved filing the CR-102 to implement Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill (E2SSB) 5080, related to expanding and improving the social equity in cannabis program. The public comment period is open until the public hearing on September 11, 2024.
- The Board approved filing a CR 102 on Cannabis Payment Flexibility. There is a formal comment period open until the public hearing on September 11, 2024.
-
The Board approved filing the CR-103 regarding the acronym used for the agency, replacing "WSLCB" with "LCB"
-
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.
- 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.
- The Board denied a petition to consider amending WAC 314-55-095 regarding increasing the existing 10 mg THC serving limit for edibles.
-
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.
-
Tuesday, June 18, 2024:
- The board accepted three Petitions for Rulemaking regarding amending or repealing WAC 314-55-570 regarding social equity license mobility. .
-
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.
- 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.
-
Wednesday, May 22, 2024:
- The Board denied a petition to consider banning single use "disposable" (cannabis) vape devices that contain lithium ion batteries.
- 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.
- The Board approved a CR 101 on Cannabis Waste. There is an informal comment period open until July 6.
-
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.
- 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.
- The Board approved a petition to update current rules with gender-neutral pronouns in Title 314 WAC.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
-
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:
-
The Board denied a rulemaking petition to change WAC 314-55-083.
-
-
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 .
-
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