The governor of Washington signs legislation expanding social justice licenses

Washington will add dozens more retail cannabis stores to its existing adult-use market over the next decade after the state’s governor signed into law Monday.

The measure, signed into law by Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, aims to strengthen the social justice component of the state’s legal marijuana program.

Under the terms of the new law, the state Liquor and Cannabis Board is scheduled to issue “up to 52 cannabis retail dealer licenses” between January 1, 2024 and July 1, 2032 to individuals who qualify for the social justice program.

According to Axios, this represents “almost a 10% increase from the current number of licensed pot shops, which has been capped at 556 nationwide since 2016.”

According to the official summary of the bill, an individual who qualifies for the Social Justice program is someone who: “Has at least 51 percent ownership and control of one or more individuals who have lived in a DIA for a period defined in CSF and the Rules of the Cannabis Board (LCB) after consultation with other designated bodies; has at least 51 percent ownership and control of at least one person convicted of a cannabis or drug offense, or is a family member of such person; or meets the criteria defined in the LCB rules after consultation with other specified bodies.”

The bill “waives annual fees and provides a one-time annual license fee refund for current cannabis licensees who submit a social justice plan [the Liquor and Cannabis Board]'” said a press release from the Democratic Legislature.

“Building opportunity and resilience for people of color disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs is not just a moral imperative, but a critical step toward a fairer and fairer society,” said the Democratic Republic Senator, a sponsor of the bill , Rebecca Saldana. “We heal the damage of the past by taking action and making change today.”

Democratic lawmakers in Washington say state data “shows that the vast majority of cannabis business owners in Washington are white, and only 4% of the state’s cannabis retail licenses went to black applicants” and that the law “helps create a more inclusive cannabis… -Create licensing program for black and brown business owners in Washington.”

“The bill also changes the definitions of ‘disproportionately affected area’, ‘social justice applicant’ and ‘social justice plan’ in the program and changes the time period for cannabis licensees to apply for a social justice technical assistance grant to qualify. It allows for the establishment of additional retail stores over time, giving Social Justice licensees more flexibility in choosing a location while maintaining local control over zoning and outlet density,” Democrats said in the release.

Inslee, who announced this week that he would not be seeking a fourth term in next year’s gubernatorial election, said he would call a special session of the Legislature to focus on “passing a new drug possession law.”

The special session is scheduled for May 16.

The regular legislative session ended on April 23, before lawmakers there could pass a new drug possession law needed after the “Washington Supreme Court ruled the state’s drug possession law unconstitutional in 2021,” according to Washington public radio station KUOW.

“Legislators introduced a temporary fix that treats drug possession as a misdemeanor. This measure, known as the Blake fix, will expire over the summer,” the broadcaster reported.

Inslee said he and staff at his office “have met with lawmakers from all four parliamentary groups and I am very optimistic of reaching an agreement that can pass both houses.”

“Cities and counties are eager to see statewide policies that balance accountability and treatment, and I believe we can introduce bipartisan bills that do just that. Details are still being negotiated, but the faction leaders share the desire to pass a law. I believe the beginning of the clock on May 16 will put us on track to get the job done this month,” Inslee said in a statement Tuesday.