She is the executive director of the Washington CannaBusiness Association. Credit: LESTER BLACK

She is the executive director of the Washington CannaBusiness Association.

She is the executive director of the Washington CannaBusiness Association. LESTER BLACK

Vicki Christophersen is the most powerful person working in cannabis in Washington State, at least if you listen to her critics.

“She controls everything.” “Vicki passed that bill.” “That law only died because Vicki didn’t like it.”

Those are all real quotes from different industry players I’ve interviewed over the years. Christophersen is not a lawmaker, nor is she head of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB). She’s something that might have more enduring power: a formidable lobbyist and the executive director of the Washington CannaBusiness Association (WACA), the state’s powerful pot trade group.

Lester Black is a former staff writer for The Stranger, where he wrote about Seattle news, cannabis, and beer. He is sometimes sober.