After cannabis was legalized in Washington, many minorities were left behind in the rush to obtain licenses. A new law looks to fix inequities in the state cannabis industry by creating a mentorship program, distributing social equity cannabis licenses,
and expanding the scope of the Social Equity Task Force.
HB 1443 creates a pilot program under the Department of Commerce to provide technical assistance to licensed cannabis
retailers who meet social equity applicant criteria. The $150,000 pilot program provides technical assistance for infrastructure projects, technology upgrades, incubator and mentorship programs, and supplies. To assist grant recipients, the Department
of Commerce may establish a roster of contracted mentors who are available to support and advise grantees. Grant recipients would have twelve months to utilize the funds. The program is set to launch by October 2, 2021.
The bill also updates the criteria for who can apply for a social equity cannabis license, including a new qualifying factor for individuals with a drug offense conviction or a family member with a drug offense conviction. Additionally, an applicant must
have lived in a disproportionately impacted area for five years between 1975 and 2015 to be eligible for a social equity license. To better define “disproportionately impacted area,” the bill directs the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB)
to consult with advocates and other commissions to refine the definition.
Finally, HB 1443 expands the scope of the Social Equity Task Force. The task force was originally formed to provide recommendations to the LCB on reissuing previously forfeited, cancelled, and revoked cannabis licenses to applicants disproportionately
impacted by the enforcement of marijuana prohibition laws. Under the bill, the task force will provide recommendations to the LCB on a range of topics including the social equity impact of:
- Altering residential cannabis agriculture regulations;
- Removing nonviolent cannabis-related felonies and misdemeanors from obtaining a cannabis license; and
- Reducing or ending funding directed to the Washington State Patrol Drug Enforcement Task Force and redirecting funds to a Cannabis Social Equity Program.
Under the new law, the task force must submit its recommendations by December 9, 2022.
Gov. Inslee signed HB 1443 into law on May 3; the law goes into effect on July 25, 2021.