Black Excellence in Cannabis
(BEC)
Observations
WA SECTF - Work Group - Licensing - Public Meeting
(April 21, 2021) - Introductions, Scope, and Responsibilities
- USA - Washington
- Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis Licensing Work Group
Members introduced themselves, heard about their work group responsibilities, and began exploring potential changes to cannabis business licensing for social equity applicants.
WA Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis - Public Meeting
(January 25, 2021) - WSLCB Policy Briefing
An extensive briefing by WSLCB staff on past cannabis business licensing windows provoked a lively Q&A on the prospective social equity program application process.
WA Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis - Public Meeting
(December 14, 2020) - A History
A history of racial discrimination in the American drug war and Washington state’s legal industry was described by a task force member, guest presenter, and commenters from inside and outside the industry.
WA Senate LBRC - Work Session
(November 30, 2020) - Social Equity
Senators heard a status report on the social equity task force, concerns from past and prospective applicants, and a rebuttal from WSLCB staff on licensing decision making.
The Week Ahead
(November 30, 2020)
On Monday, legislators in both chambers planned to review social equity within the cannabis industry, medical marijuana, a proposed cannabis commission, and the WSLCB’s status.
WSLCB - Engagement - BIPOC
(October 12, 2020) - Summary
Participants secured the WSLCB’s commitment to refund withdrawn application licensing fees in a prelude to the first meeting of the Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis.
WSLCB - Engagement - BIPOC
(October 5, 2020) - Summary
WSLCB leadership listened during more than two hours of community feedback, provided some feedback of their own, and shared new details about the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force.
WSLCB - Engagement - BIPOC
(September 29, 2020) - Summary
An at times contentious facilitated meeting provided an opportunity for agency leadership to hear from people of color about social equity in the industry and WSLCB’s practices.
City of Tacoma - City Council - Meeting
(July 14, 2020) - Summary
Council members adopted a resolution to reserve the City’s remaining two cannabis retail licenses for “social equity applicants” and ask the State for eight additional retail licenses.
WA Senate LBRC - Committee Meeting - Morning
(February 25, 2020) - Summary
Senators heard and moved both WSLCB agency request bills, HB 2826 on marijuana vapor products and HB 2870 on social equity in the cannabis industry.