On April 15th, 2021, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill that expands social equity licenses. This new law is part of a larger effort to make the cannabis industry more accessible and equitable.
Social equity licenses are a form of legal permission to operate a cannabis business. They are designed to provide opportunities to those who have been disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs, and to help create a more diverse and inclusive cannabis industry.
Under the new law, Washington State will create a new class of cannabis licenses known as Social Equity Licenses. These licenses will be available to individuals who have been convicted of a cannabis offense, or who have lived in an area with a high rate of cannabis-related arrests.
In addition, the new law will create a Social Equity Program to provide resources and support to individuals who are eligible for a Social Equity License. This program will provide financial assistance, technical assistance, and mentorship to help social equity licensees succeed in the cannabis industry.
The new law also expands the number of licenses available to social equity applicants. Previously, only 10 social equity licenses were available. Now, the number has been increased to 25.
Overall, this new law is an important step forward in creating a more equitable and accessible cannabis industry in Washington State. By providing more licenses and resources to individuals who have been historically excluded from the cannabis industry, the new law will help create a more diverse and inclusive industry.