Seattle City Council Finance and Housing Committee
(City of Seattle - City Council - Committee - Finance and Housing)

Proponents of a 2022 Seattle law on cannabis worker retention policies backed legislation expanding the mandate, but business associations warned against singling out one industry.

Opinions differed on an ordinance requiring a “cannabis needs assessment” on industry equity, but other measures on city equity licenses and worker retention were less controversial.

The committee reviewed background and amendments on multiple cannabis bills targeting worker retention and training; creation of a city social equity license; and a “Cannabis Needs Assessment.”

Seattle Councilmembers would consider a trio of bills on worker and social equity in the cannabis sector and the Hemp in Food Task Force planned to convene for the third time.

After months of deliberations, the city council referred three cannabis equity ordinances drafted by staff of the mayor’s office to the Finance and Housing committee for consideration.

The committee heard about a trio of ordinances being drafted by the Seattle Mayor’s office as “first steps” towards changing ownership and worker equity in the city’s cannabis sector.

Committee members learned the status of the WSLCB equity retail program and asked a few questions as they sought to develop a dedicated social equity program for Seattle.

The committee heard renewed calls for a city-level cannabis equity program from the public before a panel with a California equity licensee and a Washington cannabis training expert.

After public comments were heard, Finance and Administrative Services staff offered research and stakeholder recommendations on cannabis business equity before replying to questions.

The committee heard about social equity programs in three California cities and a Colorado county before asking panelists how a potential Seattle program might improve equity outcomes.