The Week Ahead
(July 12, 2021)

Social Equity in Cannabis

Dialogues about addressing social and economic equity within and through the cannabis sector continued - in some ways removed from current challenges undermining industry diversity.

Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.

Monday July 12th

WA SECTF - Work Group - Disproportionately Impacted Communities

On Monday at 4pm PT, the Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis Work Group on Disproportionately Impacted Communities (WA SECTF - Work Group - Disproportionately Impacted Communities) was scheduled to convene.

  • [ Event Details ]
  • The work groups of the WA SECTF continued to chip away at preliminary recommendations in advance of the next state legislative session. The Disproportionately Impacted Communities work group was the first established and, at publication time, the farthest along.
  • According to the agenda, work group members and public participants would again bifurcate into two breakout rooms to focus on:
    • Creating a definition of “Disproportionately Impacted Area (DIA)”
    • “Social Equity Applicant: Discuss and determine which elements should be included in the Social Equity Plan and how they can be used for prioritization.”

Tuesday July 13th

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 ]
  • We expect to hear updates on the State’s response to synthesized cannabinoids within the legal cannabis marketplace at the WSLCB public meetings this week. At the board meeting on July 7th, board members voted to restart rulemaking on synthesized cannabinoids and heard directly from two advocates for the practice amongst many more otherwise opposed.

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.

Wednesday July 14th

WSLCB - Executive Management Team

On Wednesday at 1:30pm PT, the three-member Board and agency leadership were scheduled to convene their monthly WSLCB Executive Management Team (EMT) meeting.

City of Seattle - Forum - Cannabis Equity Program

On Wednesday at 6pm PT, the City of Seattle planned to host a listening session to inform the creation of a cannabis equity program.

  • [ Event Details ]
  • In the City of Seattle, cannabis business licensing has been managed by the Finance and Administrative Services Department (FAS) since dispensary owners first visited seeking to gain business compliance in 2009. Cherie MacLeod fielded that first request and has subsequently helped organize a “racial equity project team on Equity in Cannabis Business Licensing” as the City’s Cannabis Program Manager.
    • MacLeod was appointed to represent the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) on the WA SECTF, and co-leads the Disproportionately Impacted Communities Work Group.
  • In February 2020, the City hosted a town hall format event to gather feedback from communities impacted by the war on drugs while providing details on municipal and state equity efforts including HB 2870. In addition to City representatives, panelists included WSLCB Board Member Ollie Garrett and FMS Global Strategies President and CEO Paula Sardinas.
    • Following her resignation from the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs (CAAA), it’s our understanding that Sardinas was reappointed to represent CAAA on the WA SECTF. Garrett represents WSLCB on WA SECTF.
  • On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, City officials would seek to inform the development of a cannabis equity program by gathering community input regarding “what resources for individuals arrested for marijuana possession should look like.” Previous “Ideas based on community feedback” included:
    • “Resources for individuals with marijuana convictions
    • Investments in community initiatives, such as removing misdemeanor and possibly felony marijuana convictions
    • School programs that offer resources to students affected by marijuana
    • Addiction treatment programs
    • Housing assistance
    • Clothing, job resources, and training”
  • At the same time as this event, the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) planned to host a “Strategic Planning Listening Session” regarding the Washington State Office of Equity. A multilingual survey was also made available to offer input.

Thursday July 15th

City of Seattle - Forum - Cannabis Equity Program

On Thursday at 6pm PT, the City of Seattle planned to host a listening session to inform the creation of a cannabis equity program.

Friday July 16th

At publication time, no cannabis-related policymaking events were scheduled.