Hello, we're the Washington Cannabusiness Association (WACA).
WACA represents licensees and support businesses in the regulated cannabis sector in Washington State. As one of the first states to legalize and regulate cannabis, Washington has had ten years to develop and improve public policy for an industry that is still evolving nationwide. For ten years, WACA has been there every step of the way.
Learn more about what we do.
Our member sector councils are deep into their regular meetings as part of our annual democratic process for determining a legislative and regulatory agenda. We are also actively engaged on multiple rule-makings currently before the Liquor and Cannabis Board. On the federal level, the process to reschedule cannabis continues despite expected delays regarding key milestones. Rescheduling will be a critical achievement but it is unclear when the new policy will be officially adopted. Advocacy also continues in the US Congress to close the loophole created by the 2018 Farm Bill that led to the mass proliferation of untested, untaxed hemp-derived THC products without strong guardrails blocking youth access.
The emerging, regulated cannabis and hemp industries are still misunderstood by some. WACA works tirelessly to ensure its members acknowledge and embrace their responsibility to follow the law, earn public trust, and collaborate to strengthen the system that protects consumers and communities alike. As we reflect on the first 10 years of legalization and prepare for the next 10 years, we are proud to advocate on behalf of a regulated marketplace that directly employs 11,330 workers, supports 18,360 jobs in our state and in 2020 generated $660.8 million in state and local tax revenues for public services.
Interested in learning more about the economic impact of the legal cannabis marketplace in Washington? Please reach out to us to receive a copy of our Economic Impact Analysis commissioned by WACA in 2021 and conducted by Dr. Spencer Cohen of High Peak Strategy.