LCB presenters launch information‑sharing group to help victimized cannabis licensees

Lieutenant Lou D'Amelio, of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board’s enforcement and education division, told the board caucus on March 31 that the agency formed an Information Sharing Group to boost reporting and support for licensed cannabis locations that are frequently targeted by theft and other crimes. "Often the LCB was either the last to know or wasn't even in the know," D'Amelio said, describing cases in which licensees did not report incidents or reported them only after inventory adjustments were made.

The ISG aims to close two gaps D'Amelio identified: many licensees feel unsupported and local law enforcement does not always share information effectively across jurisdictions. To address those issues, the group meets twice a month, produces checklists and on‑site materials for licensees and inspectors, and expanded training so officers respond in person and collect consistent investigative information.

D'Amelio described a new examiner dashboard that flags inventory adjustments in the agency’s CCRS system when operators mark the reason as theft or crime. "If they label the reason for the adjustment theft or crime, that pops up on this dashboard for us so that we know to reach out to that licensee," he said. The ISG also compiles investigation details into confidential bulletins distributed to law‑enforcement contacts statewide to help tie related incidents together.

As an example, D'Amelio described a traffic stop in which deputies seized hundreds of packaged cannabis products with no traceability markings; the ISG bulletin helped investigators pursue connections to potential processors or grows. He said the agency currently circulates those confidential bulletins to about 25 detectives and deputies and plans to expand that list.

Board members asked practical questions about whether licensees hesitate to report thefts. D'Amelio said operators sometimes assume local police will notify the agency and also worry about how reporting will affect insurance. "Sometimes, there's a hesitation because they're not sure how it will affect their insurance," he said.

The presentation drew support from board members, who praised the blend of enforcement, education and local‑law‑enforcement coordination. No formal action or vote was taken; presenters were invited to return with updates as the ISG develops.