Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board Announces New Cannabis Compliance Consultant Team

The Washington State Liquor & Cannabis Board recently announced it has formed a group of Compliance Consultants across the state. Their goal is to help licensees understand and comply with state cannabis requirements, laws, and rules, and to help licensees achieve and maintain compliance. The consultation team is available for cannabis producers, processors, retailers, researchers, and transporter licensees. They are not, however, Enforcement Officers and cannot issue administrative violations.

They have been assigned to geographic areas to provide for statewide coverage, facilitate consistency, and help build strong working relationships. Compliance Consultants will work with and in cooperation with LCB’s Officers and Licensing staff to facilitate outreach programs and essential licensing functions.

Recently, Marijuana Bulletin 21-01 was sent out describing the program and explaining how to request a visit. Other tasks that the consultants provide, include:

• Conducting final inspection and briefings – An important educational tool to help you get started in the marijuana industry.
• Set up planned visits with marijuana licensees called “annual inspections” – They will walk through your business and identify compliance gaps and make suggestions on how to correct the concerns.
• Assist in trainings for your staff members – Such as Responsible MJ Sales or reading IDs
• Participate in industry association meetings – Discuss common problems or trends they see in the field so they can be addressed more consistently and on a larger scale or as a whole rather than just individually.

People can email your area’s Consultant directly with questions or for assistance or call your local LCB office of your assigned Officer, or the LCB Enforcement and Education Customer Service line 360-664-9878. For more information, please see LCB webpage https://lcb.wa.gov/marj/marj.

Here’s a list of the Compliance Consultants, with their territories and email addresses.

Federal Way — Douglas Geltz — douglas.geltz@lcb.wa.gov

Mountlake Terrace — Joe Bussman — joseph.bussman@lcb.wa.gov

Mount Vernon — Dan Turner — dan.turner@lcb.wa.gov

Pasco — Mike Gaines — michael.gaines@lcb.wa.gov

Silverdale — Mike Jennings — michael.jennings@lcb.wa.gov

Spokane — Michelle Tibbetts — michelle.tibbetts@lcb.wa.gov

Spokane — Scott McKenney — scott.mckenney@lcb.wa.gov

Tacoma — Doug Jones — doug.jones@lcb.wa.gov

Vancouver — Gary Lane — gary.lane@lcb.wa.gov

Wenatchee — Brad Fraker — brad.fraker@lcb.wa.gov

Yakima — Gary Wilcox — gary.wilcox@lcb.wa.gov