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Roundtable attendees focused on hemp‑derived THC and protecting youth, WSLCB update says
Summary
Kristen Haley told the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board caucus that a Nov. 19 roundtable (100+ participants) was dominated by discussion of hemp‑derived THC; participants urged research and measures to prevent youth access and exposure.
Kristen Haley, public health education liaison for the Liquor and Cannabis Board, told the Board caucus on Dec. 16 that a Nov. 19 public‑health and cannabis stakeholder roundtable drew more than 100 participants and devoted almost the entire session to hemp‑derived THC.
Haley said the roundtable combined public‑health partners and representatives from the cannabis community and was intended as a space for cross‑sector learning. "There were over a 100 participants in attendance, which was our biggest turnout yet," she said, adding that participants wanted deeper dialogue instead of brief coverage of many topics.
The central theme was how recent federal budget/farm‑bill changes might affect the marketplace. Haley summarized a range of views: some attendees said the changes could expand product availability; others argued against loosening access given compliance in the regulated market. "Most participants kept raising the issue of preventing youth access and exposure to cannabis," Haley said, singling out concern about hemp‑derived sources and illicit products.
Haley also said the conversation included repeated calls for stronger monitoring and research to track how marketplace changes affect public health. Unexpectedly, she added, some speakers from the cannabis community advocated for more robust public‑health systems to address risks, underscoring that stakeholder perspectives are not uniform.
Haley said she will convene two public‑health and prevention‑only roundtables in 2026 and one combined roundtable to continue cross‑sector engagement. Chair Mollendorf praised Haley’s facilitation and the space created for dialogue, and Board member Holmes thanked Haley and urged wide dissemination of meeting materials.
No formal motion or board action on policy or rulemaking occurred during the caucus; the update was informational and the Board signaled support for continued partnership and outreach.
The Board is scheduled to revisit related topics and continue stakeholder engagement in 2026.
