We are more than half-way through the year and the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) has issued another emergency license suspension. This is the second license revocation of 2018.

The latest license suspension prohibits Tacoma Refined Cannabinoids from growing plants for 180 days.

Officers conducted a thorough inspection of the cannabis producer’s growing facility. Upon completion of the inspection, WSLCB claims that officers plucked 2,569 cannabis plants from the premises. In addition to this, just under 100 pounds of bulk flower was seized, as well as 376 lbs of refrigerated flower, 1,215 clone plants, and 3,000 half-gram pre-rolled joints.

Washington cannabis regulators made the decision to issue Tacoma Refined Cannabinoids with emergency license suspension after unearthing plants, clones, and products that were devoid of traceability labels.

Lack of traceability puts cannabis cultivators at risk of emergency license suspension

Without traceability markers, it is impossible for regulators to monitor cannabis cultivation in Washington. Once the 180 days of license revocation are over, non-perishable material and wet cannabis material will be demolished.

“Traceability is a core component of Washington’s system and essential for licensee compliance. If our licensees fail to track their product they put their license in jeopardy,” said the Chief of Enforcement for the WSLCB, Justin Nordhorn.

Since MJ Freeway provided Washington with a traceability database on November 1st of last year, many retailers have been filing reports of traceability problems. Endless reports have flooded in, despite deadline extensions and system assessments from a third party.

Notwithstanding the persistent problems with cannabis traceability in Washington, the WSLCB has extended the contract with MJ Freeway until January 10, 2019.

How can cultivators successfully produce cannabis in Washington?

Procuring a cannabis producer license is not possible for just anybody.

Under Washington’s cannabis cultivation rules, a planned protocol must be put into place for the following aspects of a grow shop:

• Traceability
• Security
• Employee training and qualifications
• Waste product disposal
• Transportation of cannabis product to retailer, packager and/or processor
• Cannabis testing procedures and protocol
• Grow facility description
• Thorough operation description, including how and in what the cannabis will be grown, the types of soils, fertilizers and equipment used.

The more expressive the business plan, the better the chances of being approved to grow cannabis in Washington. Under the I-502 rules, all investors must be Washington residents, living in-state for a minimum of three months.