Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 314-55 WAC, the Washington state liquor and cannabis board (WSLCB) is considering new rules in response to future recommendations of the social equity in cannabis task force (task force), and changes to current rule that will reduce barriers to entry in the legal cannabis market. Additional rules specifically related to this topic may be amended or created as necessary to accomplish the overarching goal of this project.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules are needed to realize and operationalize the goals of RCW 69.50.335 concerning cannabis retailer licenses, and RCW 69.50.336 concerning the task force. Together, these statutes established the task force and created a framework for a social equity program designed for the issuance and reissuance of certain cannabis licenses. The task force is responsible for making recommendations to WSLCB, and is currently in the process of framing those recommendations.

As the work of the task force nears completion, WSLCB will begin an evaluation of chapter 314-55 WAC to determine where revisions can be made, within current statutory authority, that will reduce barriers to entry in the legal cannabis market, promote business ownership among individuals who have been disproportionately impacted by cannabis-related laws, and support the work of the task force. Revisions considered will be designed to support socially equitable conditions by deconstructing current rules in a way that creates fair and meaningful access to the economic opportunities afforded by cannabis legalization.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Katherine Hoffman, Policy and Rules Manager, P.O. Box 43100, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-664-1622, fax 360-664-9689, email rules@lcb.wa.gov, website lcb.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested persons can participate in the rule process through open public meetings and by submitting written comments, and are encouraged to sign up for the interested parties list (GovDelivery) at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WALCB/subscriber/new. Rule-making notices and stakeholder engagement opportunities will be emailed via GovDelivery and posted to the WSLCB website at lcb.wa.gov.