The Liquor and Cannabis Board is seeking feedback on potential legislation for a proposal that would increase the number of cannabis retailer licenses for social equity purposes. Feedback is due August 25.
Over the past few years, the state has undertaken a robust stakeholder process to gather input and insights into how to make the state’s cannabis retail landscape more equitable. The proposed legislation would:
- Increase the number of available retail cannabis licenses available;
- Reduced barriers to licensure for social equity licenses;
- Updates definitions;
- Codifies scoring for social equity applications; and
- Creates new requirements for all cannabis licensees to have a social equity plan beginning in 2024.
The biggest impact to cities would be where newly granted social equity licenses could be located in the state. Per the proposed legislation, all licenses issued under the social equity program may be located in any city or town that permits cannabis
business activity, regardless of:
- Whether a license was originally allocated to or issued in another county, city, or town; and
- The maximum number of retail outlets established by the county board.
Cities can review a summary of the proposed legislation here and read the draft bill language here.
Please submit comments on the legislation to Jacob Ewing by August 25.