Washington is changing the way it traces cannabis.
MEMO FROM WSLCB W/RT CANNABIS CENTRAL REPORTING SYSTEM
- SOURCE: https://lcb.wa.gov/
Notice to external testers: The project team will be deploying bug fixes into the testing environment Friday November 5, 2021. The environment will not be available for uploads during this time. We apologize for any inconvenience but want to be able to provide you with the latest updates! Thanks for your patience.
Welcome
The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) is simplifying the state’s traceability system to reflect the growth and maturation of the cannabis industry as well as preparing for the future. By year’s end, the LCB and industry will transition off the current Leaf Data Systems platform to a revamped, simplified, data-reporting platform developed and maintained in-house.
This new section of the LCB website will be your source for the information you need.
Cannabis Central Reporting System
For the last year, Leaf has been on a service-only contract that will terminate no later than June 30, 2022. After careful deliberation of a variety of program models, LCB intends to simplify the reporting program by focusing on key lifecycle milestones for reporting and ensuring that the market can be managed independent of the state’s systems. The reporting solution is officially named “Cannabis Central Reporting System” (CCRS).
Beginning in 2019, LCB staff worked closely and collaboratively with stakeholders that included producers, processors, retailers, integrators, labs and others to identify the future state of traceability. Many of you will remember that work was part of the Board’s Cannabis 2.0 initiative.
Simplified and More Flexible
To ensure preparation for any potential system disruption and ultimately transitioning from the Leaf system, LCB will deploy a simplified, reporting solution that incorporates ideas and concepts from the Cannabis 2.0 stakeholder workgroup. Key benefits of system include:
- Simpler. Reduces complexity of reporting which reduces margin for error
- More flexible. Licensees perceive the framework to be more flexible for operational efficiencies; and
- Potential of lower costs for compliance. Licensees may see a reduction in business and compliance costs.
Stakeholders are Aware
This spring, LCB staff presented the process and CCRS concepts to select stakeholder groups. In general, stakeholders were appreciative of the collaborative approach and the simplified requirements of the CCRS system.
The LCB is committed to communicating with licensees, labs and integrators throughout the process. Users will have opportunity along the way to ask questions and provide input. Licensees and commercial integrators are also needed to help with system testing set to begin in late September.
Next Steps on Communication
A number of communications are in place or coming soon to help prepare for the transition.
- CCRS website: This new section of our website is dedicated to CCRS information. This site will grow as we release new information and resources
- Webinars. Webinars were held on September 8, October 4, and October 29, 2021. Licensees, Labs, and third-party Integrators are urged to watch the recorded sessions if they were not present at the live webinars.
- Q and A. Please send questions to CCRS@lcb.wa.gov We will also use submitted questions for a Q and A we will post to the CCRS website.
- User Guide. A detailed User Guide is posted to the CCRS Resources page. It includes instructions about the solution, technical assistance resources and contact information.
Please continue to return to this website as your central point of information.