Research Projects
Research Projects include various activities, such as surveys, findings from statistical analyses, peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference presentations, and more. Although most reports uploaded on this page contain non-technical summaries, some reports require more technical sections to appropriately describe details of a specific project.
- View the Research Program's standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to reporting research findings.
- View the Research Program's standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to survey development.
Cannabis Purchasing Decisions (Last Update: Dec. 2025)
This is an original, peer-reviewed manuscript from the Journal of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research that investigates what influences cannabis purchasing decisions among adults in Washington State. It analyzes how demographics, cannabis use patterns, and retail employment status impact the importance adults place on different product attributes (like THC, price, product appearance, and brand).
- View the peer-reviewed manuscript published in July 2025.
- View a slide deck presented to various state agencies that provide an overview of the study in December 2025.
Budding Partnerships: Cultivating Cannabis Knowledge Through Multi-Sector Collaboration (Last Update: Oct. 2025)
This project was a conference session developed for the 2025 Cannabis Research Conference, recognized as one of the world's largest and most interdisciplinary forums focused on cannabis. The session showcased the work of the Liquor and Cannabis Board's Research Program and others. The primary focused was underscoring the importance and practical application of multi-sector collaborations in advancing rigorous and effective cannabis science.
- Read more about the session and the presentations within the session presented in October 2025:
Cannabis Industry Traceability Survey (Last Update: Feb. 2025)
The goal of this survey was to gather feedback from cannabis industry members on the current Cannabis Central Reporting System (CCRS) to help inform future directions for developing requirements for a cannabis traceability system.
Read a report of the survey results below published in February 2025.
Liquor License Premises Check Report (Last Update: Oct. 2024)
The goal of this report was to better understand if liquor licenses holding primary privileges associated with nightlife (e.g., nightclub, tavern, lounge, and taproom) had a disproportionate number of premise checks and recorded non-compliance if located in areas with a higher prevalence of LGBTQ+ friendly businesses or ethnic-racial minorities. This report stemmed from LCB leadership requests and public comment following premise checks at two liquor-licensed businesses that serve the LGBTQ+ community in the Capitol Hill district of Seattle in January 2024.
- View the full report, published in October 2024.
- A summary of the report was presented to the Board in October 2024.
SB 5080 Social Equity Draft Rules Feedback Survey (Last Update: Aug. 2024)
The goal of this survey was to receive feedback from stakeholders on the draft rules related to the SB 5080 Social Equity in Cannabis Program (WAC 314-55-570). There were several changes proposed based on the results of the survey.
- Read an overview of survey results below, published in August 2024.
Healthy Youth Survey (Last Update: July 2024)
The Healthy Youth Survey is a biennial, health behavior survey of youth in Washington. This survey is a collaborative effort of the Health Care Authority (HCA), Department of Health (DOH), Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and LCB.
- See the results of the 2023 Healthy Youth Survey, past survey results, and other survey information. This information is updated on an ongoing basis.
- A summary of HYS 2023 adolescent substance use findings was presented at the Board Caucus meeting in July 2024.
- Read the Topics and Trends Spring 2024 alcohol newsletter article published in March 2024.
Cannabis Consumer Survey (Last Update: June 2024)
The cannabis consumer survey was developed in collaboration between LCB and the Department of Health (DOH) to inform future education efforts that will increase the health and safety of adults who use cannabis.
Findings from the survey provide a preliminary but positive outlook that cannabis consumers and retail staff are interested in becoming more informed about cannabis products and ways to use cannabis more safety.
- Read an overview of the survey published in June 2024.
- Review our Topics and Trends Spring 2024 cannabis newsletter article published in March 2024.
- Read key takeaways geared toward retail employees that were sent to all Washington cannabis retail stores published in June 2024.
- A presentation of the survey findings was made in in June 2024.
HB 2870 Social Equity Applicant Experience Survey (Last Update: May 2024)
The goal of the Social Equity Applicant Experience survey was to better understand the overall application process for the HB 2870 Social Equity in Cannabis applicants. This survey highlighted areas LCB can improve for the next Social Equity in Cannabis application process.
- A presentation about the survey took place at a Board Caucus meeting on April 2024.
- Review a post on the Social Equity Blog, published in May 2024.
Cannabinoid Science Work Group (Last Update: April 2024)
The purpose of this work group was to provide objective and transparent discussions on cannabis as well as recommendations for determining “detectable” levels of THC as described by E2SSB 5367. The Cannabinoid Science Work Group held eight meetings from December 2022 to April 2024. The work group was originally hosted by the Policy and Rules Team and transitioned to the Research Program in January 2024.
- Archived agendas, meeting recordings, and meeting minutes from this work group.
- Review the final recommendations from the work group published in October 2023 on detectable levels of THC and cannabis product safety.