Washington's Cannabis Regulator

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) is the state agency responsible for regulating Washington's cannabis industry. Originally established in 1934 as the State Liquor Control Board to regulate alcohol after Prohibition, the agency was renamed in 2015 to reflect its expanded cannabis oversight authority under Initiative 502.

The WSLCB oversees one of the largest regulated cannabis markets in the United States, with hundreds of licensed businesses, billions in cumulative sales, and a regulatory framework that has been studied by states and countries worldwide.

The Board

The WSLCB is governed by a three-member Board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Board members serve staggered six-year terms and have broad authority over licensing, enforcement, rulemaking, and policy direction for both liquor and cannabis.

The appointment of Pete Holmes is particularly notable. As Seattle City Attorney, Holmes was a prominent public advocate and sponsor of Initiative 502. His subsequent appointment to the Board that implements the law he helped create provides institutional continuity between the policy vision of I-502 and its day-to-day regulation.

Agency Director

The WSLCB's day-to-day operations are led by Director William N. "Will" Lukela, who joined the agency in July 2023. The director manages agency staff, oversees licensing operations, coordinates enforcement actions, and implements the policy directives of the three-member Board.

What the WSLCB Regulates

The WSLCB's cannabis regulatory responsibilities are comprehensive, covering every stage of the supply chain and every aspect of the legal market:

Licensing

The WSLCB processes and approves all cannabis business license applications, renewals, and transfers. License types include producer, processor, producer-processor, and retail. The Board also manages the Social Equity in Cannabis Program, which was expanded to include 52 new licenses in 2023.

Compliance and Enforcement

WSLCB enforcement officers conduct routine and unannounced inspections of licensed cannabis businesses to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Enforcement activities include investigations of unlicensed activity, diversion, and violations of advertising, labeling, and packaging rules. The Board has authority to impose fines, suspend licenses, and revoke licenses for serious violations.

Taxation

The WSLCB administers the 37% excise tax on retail cannabis sales (RCW 69.50.535), the highest state-level cannabis tax rate in the country. All excise tax revenue flows into the Dedicated Cannabis Account (RCW 69.50.530) for distribution to 13 state agencies and 239 local governments. For detailed tax information, see our Taxes & Revenue page.

Traceability

Washington's seed-to-sale traceability system tracks every cannabis plant and product from cultivation through retail sale. The system enables the WSLCB to monitor compliance, prevent diversion, and ensure product safety throughout the supply chain.

Testing Standards and Product Safety

The WSLCB establishes and enforces testing requirements for all cannabis products sold in Washington. Licensed testing laboratories must meet certification standards, and all products must pass testing for potency, pesticides, heavy metals, and microbial contaminants before reaching consumers. The Board manages product recalls when safety issues are identified.

Labeling and Advertising

All cannabis product labeling and advertising must comply with WSLCB rules, which are designed to prevent marketing to minors, ensure accurate product information, and maintain public safety. ESB 5206 (2025) modernized advertising rules, increasing allowed outdoor signage from 2 to 4 signs while maintaining prohibitions on depicting cannabis products, mascots, and vehicles in advertising.

Medical Endorsements

Since the merger of the medical and recreational systems under SB 5052 (2015), the WSLCB manages medical endorsements for retail stores that serve patients. Medical-endorsed stores can sell products to qualifying patients who are exempt from excise and sales taxes under HB 1453 (effective June 6, 2024).

Social Equity

The WSLCB administers the Social Equity in Cannabis Program, working to ensure that communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition have meaningful access to the legal industry.

Current Rulemaking Activity

The WSLCB is actively engaged in several rulemaking efforts as of March 2026:

• ESSB 5403 implementation: Rules governing the new 5-license ownership cap and management agreement restrictions
• Harvest date labeling: New requirements for displaying harvest dates on cannabis products
• Expanded heavy metals testing: Updates to WAC 314-55-102 to broaden the scope of heavy metals testing requirements
• R&D requirements: New rules for research and development activities within the licensed system
• ESB 5206 advertising rules: Implementing the modernized advertising framework

The WSLCB has also reactivated the Cannabis Advisory Council to provide stakeholder input on regulatory priorities and emerging issues.

Contact the WSLCB

The WSLCB is a three-member Board (Chair Jim Vollendroff, Ollie Garrett, Pete Holmes) with Director William N. "Will" Lukela. Originally established in 1934, renamed in 2015. HQ: 1025 Union Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Phone: (360) 664-1600.

Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board