ESP Coaching Institute

06/09/2025

ROUND 2

Cannabis Social Equity Program Registration Window: June 2 to July 1, 2025


The Liquor and Cannabis Board is excited to announce that the registration window for the Cannabis Social Equity Program will be opening June 2, 2025, through July 1, 2025. This window will be open for 30 calendar days.



Registration will be done through LCB’s online Portal, and only cannabis retail licenses are available through the program at this time. The Cannabis Social Equity Program is intended to identify those most impacted by the War on Drugs and promote access to the legal cannabis market in Washington.



To qualify for the Social Equity program, an applicant must have at least 51 percent ownership by one or more individuals who meet at least two of the following qualifications:

Lived in a disproportionately impacted area in Washington state for a minimum of five years between 1980 and 2010;
Has been arrested or convicted of a cannabis offense or has a family member who has been arrested or convicted of a cannabis offense;
Had a household income that was less than the median household income within the state of Washington as calculated by the United States census bureau; or
Is both a socially and economically disadvantaged individual as defined by the office of minority and women's business enterprises under chapter 39.19 RCW.


Qualifying for the Social Equity program also requires a high score and does not guarantee you will receive a cannabis retail license. The Social Equity section of LCB’s website provides the most up to date information on the program.



Registration Process
The application process for the Cannabis Social Equity Program has changed. The first step in this process will be to register through LCB’s online Portal, which will ask for some basic identifying information. Registration does not guarantee a license.

Do not apply with the Department of Revenue for Business Licensing Services until you are notified by the LCB for approval.



After the registration window closes, third-party contractor Alta Point Consulting, LLC., will notify registrants when and how to submit documents for review. Alta Point Consulting will determine if you are eligible for the program under the rules set by the Board (WAC 314.55.570), and score qualifying registrants who complete applications.



Alta Point Consulting will send the final scores to LCB. The LCB will notify the highest scoring registrants if they are approved to start the application process for a cannabis retail license. The approved applicants will then apply with Business Licensing Services.



What Can You Do Now?
To prepare for the registration window, it is important to begin gathering documents that verify you meet two of the four qualifications listed above. Check out our educational video series for more information about the registration and application process, types of documentation, and more.

05/07/2024

FINAL BILL REPORT BIG WIN FOR PATIENTS! Excise Tax Exemption
SHB 1453

Background:
There is levied and collected a cannabis excise tax equal to 37 percent of the selling price
on each retail sale of cannabis concentrates, useable cannabis, and cannabis-infused products. This tax is separate and in addition to general state and local sales and use taxes that apply to retail sales of tangible personal property, and is not part of the total retail price to which general state and local sales and use taxes apply.

The tax must be reflected in the price list or quoted shelf price in the licensed cannabis retail store and in any advertising that includes prices for all cannabis products. All revenues
collected from the cannabis excise tax must be deposited each day in the Dedicated Cannabis Account.

Qualifying patients and designated providers who have opted to participate in the Medical Cannabis Authorization Database and be issued a recognition card have an exemption from
sales and use taxes on purchases of cannabis products identified by the Department of Health (DOH) as being a compliant cannabis product, but do not have an exemption from
the 37 percent cannabis excise tax.

Cannabis products are subject to several mandatory fields of testing pursuant to the rules of the Liquor and Cannabis Board. Additionally, cannabis producers and processors may
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

House Bill Report - 1 - SHB 1453
voluntarily opt to submit their products for additional testing for compliance with another layer of quality assurance standards established by the DOH and, if passing, may be labeled
as a DOH "compliant product" bearing a label logo developed by the DOH. For example, heavy metal screening is required for all DOH-compliant product. Heavy metal screening is
optional for a non-DOH-compliant product; however, heavy metal limits apply to all products and any product exceeding the provided limits are subject to recall and destruction.

When legislation creates a new tax preference, the new tax preference is required to include a tax preference performance statement and the tax preference expires after 10 years unless another expiration date is specified. However, legislation can exempt a new tax preference from these requirements in order to continue the tax preference indefinitely and to not include a tax preference performance statement.

Summary:
Until June 30, 2029, a tax exemption is provided to qualifying patients and designated
providers who hold a recognition card, from the 37 percent cannabis excise tax, on their
purchases of cannabis products that are labeled as a Department of Health (DOH)-compliant
product and tested in accordance with the DOH's rules.
Each seller making exempt sales must maintain information establishing eligibility for the
exemption in the form and manner required by the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB). The
LCB must provide a separate tax reporting line on the excise tax form for exemption
amounts claimed.
A tax preference performance statement is included. The Joint Legislative Audit and
Review Committee (JLARC) must review the tax preference and submit a report to the
Legislature by December 1, 2028. The review must include an evaluation of any change in
the number of qualifying patients or designated providers; any change in the amount, types,
or sales of tax-exempt products; and any other information the JLARC deems necessary to
evaluate the tax preference.
Votes on Final Passage:
House 85 12
Senate 36 13 (Senate amended)
House 82 14 (House concurred)
Final Passage Votes
Effective: June 6, 2024

09/14/2023

Important Milestone Reached Regarding Cannabis Social Equity Application Process
The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), over a two-week period that will begin Sunday Sept. 17, 2023, will issue status notification emails to those who applied for 46 available cannabis retail licenses held in reserve for social equity purposes. The timeline and next steps were announced today by Licensing Division staff at the bi-weekly LCB Board meeting.

The applications were scored by an independent, third-party organization, as recommended by the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force and directed by RCW 69.50.335. The independent contractor, Ponder Diversity Group, reviewed, validated applicants’ qualifications, and scored all the applications submitted according to an LCB-developed and approved rubric.

To be eligible, scored, and considered for the social equity program, the following requirements must have been met:
• At least a 51 percent majority, or controlling interest, in the applicant, must be held by a person, or persons, who has or have resided in Washington State for six months prior to the application date, consistent with RCW 69.50.331, and meets at least two of the following qualifications:
o The applicant(s) must have lived in a disproportionately impacted area in Washington state for a minimum of five years between 1980 and 2010; or
o The applicant(s) or a family member of the applicant has been arrested or convicted of a cannabis offense; or
o The applicant(s)’ household income in the year prior to submitting the application was less than the median household income within the state of Washington as calculated by the United States Census Bureau.

Next Steps for Successful Applicants
Applicants will begin receiving notifications about their status within the next two weeks. In the case of a tie within a county, independent audit firm Kraght Snell, PS, will conduct a double-blind lottery to select the final applicants to move forward with the LCB licensing process. After the final applicants are identified, they will work with an LCB licensing specialist to complete the licensing process.

Background of the Social Equity Program and Future Social Equity Licenses The 2012 ballot measure Initiative 502, which legalized recreational use of cannabis by adults, did not include provisions or create programs to acknowledge the disproportionate harms the enforcement of cannabis laws had on certain populations and communities. The LCB recognizes that cannabis prohibition laws were disproportionately enforced for decades and that the cumulative harms from this enforcement remain today.

In 2020, in response to a policy priority identified by the Board, the LCB developed agency-request legislation which created the state Social Equity program, the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force and the opportunity to provide a limited number of cannabis retail licenses to individuals disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of cannabis prohibition laws. The license applications mentioned above are the result of the 2020 legislation.

In 2023, following recommendations by the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force, the LCB again requested legislation that would amend and expand the Social Equity program. The Legislature enacted E2SSB 5080 which will provide additional cannabis licenses over the next decade for social equity purposes.

The LCB will be conducting outreach and beginning the rules process over the fall and winter with the expectation of opening the application window for additional licenses in mid-2024.

More Information
A recording of today’s meeting will be available on the September Board Schedule page later today. The PowerPoint presented at the meeting is available here.

As always, please visit the Social Equity section of the LCB website at lcb.wa.gov for the most current information pertaining to the Social Equity licensing process.

07/10/2023

To: Cannabis Stakeholders
Fr: Enforcement and Education Division Director Chandra Wax
Re: Wrap Up of Isolated DDE Contamination in North Central WA

I am writing in reference to DDE contaminants found in cannabis and soil from several licensee locations in North Central Washington. The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) has received final test results from all of the investigatory samples that were collected.

Out of 108 product samples submitted, 61 products tested above the 0.1 action limit for DDE. Enforcement and Education staff have placed a hold on each of the contaminated products and will work with the licensees to ensure the identified products are destroyed. There were five licensees with administrative holds. As of July 3, 2023, all of the holds have been lifted.

Going forward, LCB Enforcement and Education Division staff will conduct quarterly testing to ensure product safety.

DDE Contamination Background
WAC 314-55-108 sets the action limit for DDE at 0.1 ppm. This action level was set by emergency rule in 2016 and permanent rule in 2017 through consultation with Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, and the Oregon Health Authority.

The detections of DDE were traced back to the same area in North Central Washington. The identified area was defined as a five-mile stretch of land along the south end of the Okanogan River and north of Lake Pateros. There are 18 licensees located in this area. In April 2023, Enforcement and Education Division staff sent emails to each of the 18 impacted licensees to inform them about the test results and the soil, water, and product testing that would occur.

There were five licensees with DDE above action limits and division staff called each of them on April 6, 2023, to tell them about the test results, educate them about the administrative hold that would be placed, request product records, and request a licensee-initiated recall. After, the LCB issued a detailed message that was shared with licensees, legislators from the area, local public officials, and stakeholders. At the same time, LCB staff met with state-certified labs, impacted licensees, trade associations, and partner agencies to ensure we were being transparent and responsive.

Enforcement and Education Division staff sought out the advice of colleagues at the Departments of Ecology and Agriculture as we developed a plan to ensure there were no contaminants in the products available to the public. We also considered the lab capacity to conduct these tests and collected a number of samples that would be able to have results returned within a reasonable timeframe.

WSDA Test Results
Results from the Dept. of Agriculture (WSDA) lab for total 108 samples:
• 61 samples failed with results above 0.1 action limit for DDE (56%)
• 47 samples passed with results below 0.1 action limit for DDE (44%)
The LCB has been working with WSDA and the Dept. of Ecology to support their processes for funding awarded by the legislature for grants for farmers and a study to consider alternatives including soil remediation.

We recognize the significant impact this had on licensees as well as the risk this posed to the public. We acted responsibly, swiftly, and intentionally. Our goal is to ensure cannabis products are safe and that licensees and stakeholders are informed as updates are available.

Thank you for your continued attention to this important public health and safety issue.

Additional Resources
• Interactive Cannabis Pesticide Results Map

11/16/2022

Invitation: Join a Second Conversation on Cannabis Plant Canopy Rules Modernization, November 29, 1-2:30 p.m.
The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) is hosting a second conversation on Tuesday, November 29 from 1-2:30 p.m. to explore ideas for modernizing the rules for cannabis plant canopy (WAC 314-55-075).
This conversation is the second in a series of World Café style discussions. Our first session, held on October 4, 2022 can be viewed here. World Café is a participatory workshop method, suitable for groups from 12 to 2,000 participants. It is a structured conversational process intended to facilitate open conversation and discussion. It links ideas among a group to access the “collective intelligence” of participants, and to understand/learn from multiple points of view. The focus is on exploring/innovating on themes rather than on problem solving. The format is designed as a forum for creative/open thinking, and is not suited for scenarios where there is a pre-determined answer or solution. You can learn more about the World Café method here.
During this event, hosts and participants will:
• Focus on what matters
• Contribute your thinking
• Speak your mind and heart
• Listen to understand
• Link and connect ideas
• Listen together for insights and deeper questions
Active participation in discussion is a foundational element of the World Café model. We ask that if you are not planning to actively engage in discussion and wish to observe the conversations – whether in the breakout rooms, the larger group, or both, that you do not attend the event, and instead wait for the recording to become available for observation.
The LCB encourages public suggestions and input on plant canopy rule concepts before the agency decides whether to move forward with development of conceptual draft rules.
To provide public notice that the LCB is considering possible rule changes, the LCB filed a CR 101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry as WSR 22-18-058 on August 31, 2022. This notice was published in the Washington State Register on September 21, 2022.
Are you interested in participating in the conversation? Here’s how:
WHEN: Tuesday, November 29, 2022, from 1-2:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. The agenda is linked here.
WHERE: Join on your computer or smart phone using Microsoft (MS) Teams.
Click here to pre-register for the meeting.
• If you have the MS Teams app on your device, select “Open Microsoft Teams” when prompted.
• If you do not have the MS Teams app, click on “Continue on this browser” when prompted.
If you join us virtually, here are a few reminders:
• Online participation will be structured to allow one speaker at a time through a hand-raising feature on MS Teams.
• You can also give feedback to us at the email below.
Questions? Contact the rules team at [email protected].

08/01/2022

100%

WNBA star Brittney Griner was detained in Russia after Moscow airport officials said they found v**e cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage.

02/23/2022

This has to stop.

01/07/2022

https://www.shorelineareanews.com/2022/01/employee-injured-in-armed-robbery-at.html?m=1

Dockside Cannabis in Shoreline An employee of Dockside Cannabis in the 15000 block of Aurora Ave N is recovering in the hospital after being...

09/07/2021

Attention Store Owners, Managers, and Medical Ma*****na Consultants:

The Medical Ma*****na Program has received several inquiries in the past few days about the Covid-19 vaccination requirement and if medical ma*****na consultants are included in the vaccination mandate. The proclamation issued by Governor Inslee (21-14) applies to individuals holding a license, certification or registration from the Washington State Department of Health, listed here, who are actively practicing or providing services to people. This means that medical ma*****na consultants are included in the vaccine mandate and must be fully vaccinated by October 18, 2021.

NOTE: If you are not currently providing services or practicing you are excluded from the vaccine requirement. If you start working as a medical ma*****na consultant after October 18, you will need to be fully vaccinated before you can begin work.

What does that mean for me? In order to be considered fully vaccinated by October 18, you must receive your second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or your single dose of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine on or before October 4, 2021.

Where can I get vaccinated? Check out our Vaccine Locator or call 833-VAX-HELP to find a vaccine provider near you. The vaccine is the most important and effective tool we have for ending this pandemic.

Questions? Please refer to the FAQ sheet for common questions and answers or contact the program at 360-236-4819 or medicalma*****[email protected].

Thank you,

Medical Ma*****na Program Staff