Cannabis Advisory Council 12/17/19 Thoughts and Observations

By
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.