Request for Information: Cannabis Social Equity Technical Assistance Grant ProgramThe Washington State Department of Commerce seeks input to inform the spending of $9 million to create a program to support Social Equity Cannabis Applicants and Licensees.

The Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force was formed in 2020 in accordance with HB 2870, allowing approximately over 40 additional cannabis retail licenses to be issued for social equity purposes. The Legislature has appropriated $6.0 million in state general funds over fiscal years 2024 - 2025 to support the Cannabis Social Equity Technical Assistance Grant Program to assist Social Equity Applicants who qualify to receive those licenses or current license holders. An additional $3 million as described in the Community Reinvestment Plan will also supplement this funding.

The Social Equity Applicant criteria according to the enabling law is:

• An applicant who has at least fifty-one percent ownership and control; and
• Someone who has lived in a disproportionately impacted area; or
• Has been convicted of a cannabis offense; or
• Has a family member that has been convicted of a cannabis offense; or
• Meets other criteria as defined in the rule by the Liquor and Cannabis Board.

What we are asking and why

Commerce seeks feedback pertaining to the development of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the various components of the upcoming Cannabis Social Equity Technical Assistance Grant Program.

We are requesting this information to make fair and informed decisions about how to best assist Social Equity Applicants and Licensees to be successful retail and producer/processor business owners. Currently, Commerce is planning a three-part program:

• Online learning modules for business plan development
• In-person/Online/Hybrid mentorship
• Grant program (ranging from $25,000 - $150,000)

RFI Submission Form Link: https://bit.ly/RFI-CannabisSocialEquity

Deadline: September 29, 2023, 5:00 pm PST

WEBS Customer Reference # RFI-CSETAGP