The Washington CannaBusiness Association (WACA) is a democratically-led organization, which means that its members set its legislative and regulatory advocacy priorities through an organized internal process each year. WACA is a one member-one vote organization made up of companies of all sizes and business structures. WACA is working to build the strongest industry for all cannabis related businesses and employees in Washington State. 

WACA’s Board of Trustees recently became aware that two Trustees are funding an organization in conflict with WACA’s agenda, as established by a vote of its membership. Not only is this new organization working in conflict with our members' voted agenda, the rhetoric it has been communicating to legislators directly criticizes WACA and its membership. While it is not unusual for WACA members to disagree on policy priorities or belong to multiple associations, independently forming and funding an anti-WACA effort is a distinct contradiction to service on a Board entrusted with acting in the best interest of the association and its members, including respecting the direction set by those members in a democratic vote. 

In accordance with its Bylaws, the Board held a special meeting and voted to remove the two Board members for conflict of interest. The Board will be seeking potential board members to appoint to fill out the remainder of these members’ terms. 

The cannabis sector is in a state of fracture because it does not unify for shared solutions in the face of relentless competition and biased policymaking, and from self-inflicted wounds. WACA’s members have determined a legislative agenda that requires our full attention and we will move forward in pursuit of the agenda that our members have democratically developed. WACA will be publishing that agenda shortly. 

Since 2014, WACA has been an advocate for a safe, quality-controlled and regulated cannabis marketplace that keeps products out of the hands of minors and an eye on the horizon for what’s next. Our staff, Board and membership remain committed to transparent, professional and responsible representation of the legal cannabis industry.

~ WACA Board of Trustees