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.
Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis Technical Assistance and Mentorship Work Group
(WA SECTF - Work Group - TA and Mentorship)
Inactive
Public
Structural Relationships
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Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis Technical Assistance and Mentorship Work Group (WA SECTF - Work Group - TA and Mentorship)Inactive
Information Set
- No information available at this time
Observations
WSLCB - Board Meeting (January 3, 2024) - Summary
A rules update acknowledged more delays in some projects before public comments showed a divide on the fairness of social equity licensing and questioned cannabis research topics.
WA House COG - Committee Meeting (November 30, 2022) - WA SECTF Update
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.
WA SECTF - Public Meeting (June 28, 2022) - Summary
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.
WA House COG - Committee Meeting (November 18, 2021) - WA SECTF Update
Cannabis social equity task force staff described adopted recommendations and those still in progress before responding to questions about data and goals of the group.
The Week Ahead (November 8, 2021)
- USA - Washington
- Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis Technical Assistance and Mentorship Work Group (WA SECTF - Work Group - TA and Mentorship)
While social equity work groups continued to review the regulated cannabis market, the body historically responsible for introducing the state controlled substances act was set to convene.
The Week Ahead (November 1, 2021)
Prevention and social equity advocates would convene online, while a cannabis trade association would host state legislators, regulators, and researchers for in person discussion.
The Week Ahead (October 25, 2021)
As the Cannabis Science Task Force wrapped up its work and moved to fade into its sunset, the Social Equity Task Force was prepared to adopt its most ambitious legislative agenda yet.
WA SECTF - Public Meeting (September 14, 2021) - Legislative Proposals - TA and Mentorship
The task force adopted work group recommendations to significantly increase spending on grants, establish loans for equity applicants, and open grants to qualified existing licensees.
The Week Ahead (October 11, 2021)
One window closes before another opens: stakeholder feedback on “psychotropic compounds” agency request legislation was due to WSLCB staff prior to publication of proposed THC rules.
WA SECTF - Public Meeting (July 27, 2021) - Summary
Task force members heard progress reports from work group leaders and WSLCB licensing staff while the public voiced complaints about the pace of task force work and the absence of the former co-chair.