Washington Cannabis Regulator Extends Important Packaging and Labeling Deadline to June 2019

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) released a proposed interim policy that provides cannabis businesses with the details and requirements for phasing in the new packaging and labeling requirements. The WSLCB will vote tomorrow on whether to adopt the interim policy, which requires cannabis businesses to comply with the new packaging and labeling requirements by January 1, 2019. Although firms must comply on January 1, they will have until June 1, 2019 to submit the compliant packaging and labels to the Board for approval. The Board provided the phased in approach so that firms could deplete existing inventory that is often purchased in bulk in order to reduce costs. The phased in approach will allow firms to incorporate the new compliance packaging and labels as the inventory depletes.