Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with senate amendments and pass a bill that expands the duties of the Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis.

Highlights:

• Expands the number of eligible applicants under the Cannabis Social Equity Assistance Grant Program to include all existing cannabis license holders who meet the social equity applicant criteria (Sec. 1).

• Increases the number of task force recommendation topics to include the following social equity impacts, such as (Sec. 2):

• Altering residential cannabis agriculture regulations; 

• Shifting primary regulation of cannabis production from the board to the Department of Agriculture;

• Removing nonviolent cannabis-related felonies and misdemeanors from the existing point system;

• Creating a workforce training opportunities for underserved communities to increase employment opportunities in the cannabis industry; and

• Creating new cannabis license types.

• Extends the due date for the final Task Force recommendations to December 9, 2022 (Sec. 3).

• Requires the Department of Commerce to create a pilot program to provide technical assistance to current cannabis retailer licensees who meet the social equity applicant criteria by October 2, 2021 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that expands the duties of the Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis.

Highlights:

• Expands the number of eligible applicants under the Cannabis Social Equity Assistance Grant Program to include all existing cannabis license holders who meet the social equity applicant criteria (Sec. 1).

• Increases the number of task force recommendation topics to include the following social equity impacts, such as (Sec. 2):

• Altering residential cannabis agriculture regulations; 

• Shifting primary regulation of cannabis production from the board to the Department of Agriculture;

• Removing nonviolent cannabis-related felonies and misdemeanors from the existing point system;

• Creating a workforce training opportunities for underserved communities to increase employment opportunities in the cannabis industry; and

• Creating new cannabis license types.

• Extends the due date for the final Task Force recommendations to December 9, 2022 (Sec. 3).

• Requires the Department of Commerce to create a pilot program to provide technical assistance to current cannabis retailer licensees who meet the social equity applicant criteria by October 2, 2021 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text