Lukas Barfield
I attended the Washington State
Liquor and Cannabis Board's (WSLCB) Cannabis Advisory Council for the first
time as the "patient representative." The agenda for the two hour
meeting included a speaker covering the vaping crisis, a overview of the
Boards' priorities for the upcoming session and a presentation from other
groups about their priorities in the 2020 legislative session. Although the
Board and other members were very welcoming, I heard little at the Council that
will benefit medical cannabis patients on the horizon. Here are some of my
thoughts on the meeting.
In terms of patient safety the vaping
presentation was alarming. According to the Board only 400 out of over 4000
"ingredient disclosure" forms have been turned in. These are forms
the Board is asking, a little to politely imo, vape cart processors to turn in,
disclosing the ingredients to their vape carts. If ever there was an argument for separate medical
cannabis products this is one. The Board seems to be unaware how dangerous unknown
contaminants can be to people with severe health issues, or not care. There
really seemed to be no sense of urgency on figuring out what is in the vape
carts out there in the 502.
The next agenda item revealed the Boards
plan to help patients this session. The one bill they have for patients, which
still has to be given the green light by the Governor, is to allow registered
medical cannabis patients to buy directly from Tier 1 producers. Sort of a good
idea, the plan in theory would help struggling Tier 1's and allow patients to
buy from their favorite farm. This idea is rife with problems, the least of
which is how are patients, who many can't drive, going to get out to the rural
farms? And, where are all the registered patients asking for this. Hint, there
are none.
The final item asked Council members to
present their priorities for the coming session. The Washington Cannabusiness
Association offered up some awful legislation, trying to mask a corporate
capital influx with an equity bill. bad idea. They also want to allow CBD only in 502 stores, another bad idea. I did hear the words
"farmer's market" from several groups. My priorities included removal of the 37% excise tax on medical cannabis, better legal
protections for patients, clarification on designated providers and donation limits
and education. I didn't' mention it, but homegrows are also on my priority
list. What's some of yours. Send over any suggestions you may have to
emailmmcws@gmail.com
Overall, I came away from the meeting
feeling like I do when I interact on this level with most able bodied people.
They have no idea how to communicate with, talk about, work with or help people
with disabilities . To me medical cannabis is first a disability issue, then a
economic or farming issue. Definitely not a law enforcement issue as the Board
seems to think. In short, they just don't get it. but, that's why I'm doing
this. I want to help them get it and "yes", maybe the LCB will never
get it, but just having more voices speaking up for patients will help in the
long run.
