The Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis (WA SECTF) was established during the 2020 legislative session as part of HB 2870 and expanded in 2021 through HB 1443. The purpose of the task force is to make recommendations to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) including but not limited to establishing a social equity program for the issuance and reissuance of existing retail marijuana licenses, and to advise the Governor and the Legislature on policies that would facilitate development of a marijuana social equity program. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House were responsible for appointing 20 members to the task force.
The WA SECTF is standing up work groups to assist with developing recommendations. The Regulation of Cannabis Production Work Group (WA SECTF - Work Group - Production) was established to develop recommendations regarding shifting oversight of production licensees to the Department.
A WA SECTF panel provided the committee an explanation of how they reached their final recommendations for social equity in cannabis before describing them and taking questions.
Task force members appointed the second new co-chair in two months, heard about 2023 request legislation, then discussed and approved final recommendations from work groups.
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.
Work group 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 work group discussed the costs and social equity implications of either a new agriculture program for cannabis production, or a “lift and shift” of the existing WSLCB program to WSDA.
The social equity production work group would meet, likely for the last time, before WSLCB staff convened a listen and learn forum on draft rules for the cannabinoid regulation rulemaking project.
The task force 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.
WSLCB leaders heard about national and regional conferences staff had participated in along with updates on media requests, traceability, and a “strategic plan” for social equity communications.
The final licensing and community reinvestment recommendations from the task force were presented, discussed, and voted upon before members scheduled remaining work.
In addition to a full slate of WSLCB public meetings, the agency planned to host a final deliberative dialogue and the social equity task force production work group would meet.
