Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-72 WAC, Medical marijuana consultant certification, the department of health (department) is opening this chapter of rules to consider amendments that would enhance and clarify training requirements and practice parameters of a medical marijuana certified consultant (certified consultant).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is opening this chapter to consider amending these rules in response to a petition request received in February 2019; additionally, the department will be using this opportunity to assess the entire chapter for areas needing clarification or improvement. The department will consider amendments that could provide clarification of a certified consultant's practice parameters, quality indicators that will promote necessary prevention messages, and additional training topics that should be offered by a state approved certified consultant training program.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Under current regulation, to maintain compliance with a medical endorsement, a marijuana retailer must employ a certified consultant with an active credential on staff to be able to serve qualifying patients and their designated providers who want to be registered into the medical marijuana authorization database to receive a medical marijuana recognition card. The department will coordinate on draft rule amendments with the Washington state liquor and cannabis board as they have statutory authority to enforce the retailer license and medical endorsement.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Shelly Rowden, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-2820, TTY 711, email medicalmarijuana@doh.wa.gov, website https://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/Marijuana/MedicalMariuuana/LawsandRules.

Additional comments: Interested parties may receive emails or text alerts about this rule-making effort by subscribing to GovDelivery at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. Look for [Health Systems Quality Assurance > Health Professions > Medical Marijuana Program].