Seattle City Council
(City of Seattle - City Council)

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.

After largely encouraging public comments for three city ordinances on cannabis labor and equity policies, the council adopted all the measures and promised more action in the future.

The Seattle City Council could amend and adopt three social equity and worker ordinances after WSLCB board members began reckoning with the covert actions of their Enforcement division.

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.”

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.

WSLCB staff planned to propose revised rules for a social equity retail program the same week Seattle City Council members planned to introduce legislation to address worker and social equity.

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.