The social equity task force was scheduled to consider recommendations from two work groups and take positions on WSLCB draft legislation - but would not publicly discuss changes to DIAs.
Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.
Monday August 22nd
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.
Tuesday August 23rd
WSLCB - Board Caucus
On Tuesday at 10am PT, the weekly Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) Board Caucus was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
WA HCA - DBHR Listening Session
On Tuesday at 1:30pm PT, the monthly Washington State Health Care Authority (WA HCA) Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) Behavioral Health Service Provider Listening Session was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
WA SECTF - Public Meeting
On Tuesday at 2pm PT, the Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis (WA SECTF) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- The full task force last met on June 28th when members elected a new co-chair, learned the status of a technical assistance and mentorship program, and heard allegations about “anti-union” activity of a retailer.
- Since then, the Regulation of Cannabis Production Work Group met on July 26th whereupon members supported an expanded role for WSDA in regulating cannabis production, but only after study and planning around costs and implications for equity in the market.
- The Non-Violent Offense Policy and Home Grow Work Group met on July 11th to consider how to improve criminal history checks for social equity applicants and met again on August 9th to craft a recommendation in support of residential agriculture.
- On Tuesday, representatives of both work groups would present their draft recommendations to the full task force for discussion, amendment, and potential adoption.
- The first version of the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting released on August 15th allotted twenty minutes for “Old Business” and “Possible Action” on the formula used to designate disproportionately impacted areas (DIA).
- On August 10th, WSLCB Director of Licensing Becky Smith discussed meeting with task force members and UW staff on August 4th. Researchers informed the group they were missing “conviction data” from King County, she relayed, and wanted to make changes to the formula. Smith attributed delayed completion of DIA maps to these issues, suggesting staff were “crossing our fingers” that task force members would agree after a UW briefing. Smith said if the task force didn’t approve changes, “we will be moving forward with the recommendations from licensing division on making those changes, it will open up more areas” as DIAs, something she called “the best path forward” without explaining whether/how licensing recommendations differed from the changes sought by UW representatives.
- DIAs are loosely defined by high-level criteria set in statute that UW researchers used to create a more specific formula to produce the maps. The researchers were also responsible for obtaining the data needed to operationalize the formula.
- The statute does permit DIAs to “be further defined in rule by the board after consultation with the commission on African American affairs and other agencies, commissions, and community members.”
- The agenda was revised two days later on August 17th to remove public discussion of the DIA formula and data.
- The new agenda included time for members to discuss and consider possible action on WSLCB draft social equity legislation.
- On August 4th, WSLCB Director of Legislative Relations Chris Thompson emailed the draft text and summaries for three request bills to a select group of stakeholders who were encouraged to submit comments by Thursday August 25th.
- The draft social equity bill sought to expand the number of available social equity retail licenses, make them mobile to any jurisdiction in Washington allowing additional retail, waive licensing fees for equity businesses, add restrictions on sale of social equity licenses for the first five years, as well as other changes. In many instances, the bill would refine more vague statutory language to reflect proposed rules for the pending WSLCB social equity retail licensing program.
- Thompson also sought feedback by August 25th on draft cannabinoid regulation legislation and a request to extend agency staff subpoena authority over cannabis investigations.
Wednesday August 24th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.
Thursday August 25th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.
Friday August 26th
At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.