Marijuana Infused Edibles Regulatory Oversight of Processing & Role of WSDA Inspections

Washington Food Safety System Complex Partnership Product Manufacturer FDA/USDA Product Distributors Retail Facilities State Dept. of Health Media WSDA Public Local Health

Oversimplification WSDA Food Processing Local Health Jurisdictions Retail Sales

MARIJUANA-INFUSED EDIBLES (MIE) JURISDICTION

Not a “food”

Jurisdiction WSDA has no jurisdiction over MIE LCB has jurisdiction over all recreational marijuana processing, including edibles But WSDA has knowledge and experience with food-safety issues

MIE INSPECTIONS

WLCB Rules Refer to WSDA Rules (10) A marijuana processor or retailer licensed by the board shall conduct the processing, storage, and sale of marijuana-infused products using sanitary practices and ensure facilities are constructed, kept, and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition in accordance with rules and as prescribed by the Washington state department of agriculture under chapters and WAC WAC

WLCB/WSDA Contract WSDA performs sanitary inspections for LCB under contract At first, a short-term MOU was in place Long-term contract implemented end of 2014 To date: 41 MEI contract inspections are completed allowing WLCB to license MEI processors.

Enforcement

LIMITATIONS ON TYPES OF MIE WAC

Goals Product safety Maintain state-level oversight of food safety concerns for both processors and retailers

Strategies No high-risk processes – product types modeled off Cottage Food low risk products Limit overlap with federal regulations

Strategies End product must be shelf-stable (no temperature control required) WSDA licensed-food processors may not manufacture MIE Legislature working on Medical Marijuana Product Oversight

Questions? Claudia G. Coles Washington State Department of Agriculture