Grant Program
Round 1 Applications have closed
Round 2 Opens on August 1, 2024
$8.1 million in grant funding will be distributed to LCB-Approved WA State Social Equity Applicants (SEA) and Title Certificate Holders (who were awarded provisional licenses after April 1, 2023
and before July 1, 2024 to open a retail store) via two grant programs in 2024. These funds are being issued as directive of WA RCW 43.330.540.
Info Session Recordings
april 10, 2024
What is the Social Equity Cannabis Program?
- The Cannabis Social Equity Program, established by Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill (E2SHB) 2870 in 2020, serves to reduce barriers and promote equity and participation in Washington State’s adult-use cannabis market by those most adversely impacted by the War on Drugs.
- Washington State’s social equity provisions include technical assistance grants, priority licensing, regulatory compliance training, financial management training, and assistance in seeking financing. See WA RCW 43.330.540 for details on this.
- The Department of Commerce was tasked by the state legislature with the implementation of the program. In September 2023, Commerce initiated a public Request for Proposals in a competitive award process to select a contractor to implement three programs: the Grant Program, the Technical Assistance Mentorship Program, and an Online Learning Program.
- In March 2024, Launch Industries (a Seattle-based, WMBE-certified small business) was awarded the contract to conduct program design, implementation, management, and administration. Launch has assembled a talented group of WMBE-certified subcontractors who specialize in each of the individual program areas. You can learn more about how Launch’s team is organized below.
Who is Eligible to Participate in Each Program?
Grant Program
Mentorship & Technical Assistance Program
R
Social Equity Applicants (SEA) and Title Certificate Holders
who were awarded licenses to open retail locations after April 1, 2023 and before July 1, 2024 per RCW 69.50.335*
Online Learning Program
R
General Public from
Washington State
Eligibility Criteria by Program
Grant Program
The businesses who have been approved by the WA State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) as “Social Equity Applicants” (SEAs) and have received a provisional letter of approval for a retail location are eligible to apply for the grant program(s). One grant program is for all SEA and Title Certificate Holders; the other grant fund, managed by the Community Reinvestment Plan, is specifically for SEAs and Title Certificate Holders who are ALSO approved as “By and For” organizations. Please see the Grant Programs page for more information.
Mentorship & Technical Assistance Program
Social Equity Applicants (SEA) and Title Certificate Holders are eligible to receive free mentorship, consulting, and technical assistance.
For those interested in becoming service providers in the program, we are looking for people with subject matter expertise in the retail cannabis industry in a variety of disciplines such as purchasing, inventory management, marketing, human resources, real estate, legal, security management, and general management. See the Mentorship and Technical Assistance page for more information.
Please note that unfortunately, Social Equity Applicants themselves may not be mentors in the program due to Conflict of Interest.
Online Learning Program
This program will be open for all Washington State residents to participate in. Early registration is now open. Please see the Online Learning Program page for more information and to register.
Grant Program
Senior Manager
Robin Booth
Booth Management
Consulting
Equity Consultant
Senior Manager
Kristina Katayama
Be Possible LLC
Program Leadership
Mentorship & Technical Assistance Program
Senior Manager
Ed Salcedo
GCAP Services, Inc.
Online Learning Program Senior Manager
Simeon Sessley
The Advisory Trail
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