ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1551
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By House Consumer Protection & Business (originally sponsored by Representatives Reeves, Entenman, Morgan, Kloba, Ormsby, Santos, Doglio, and Hill)
READ FIRST TIME 02/21/25.
AN ACT Relating to extending the cannabis social equity program to evaluate the program and implement efficiencies; amending RCW 69.50.335 and 43.330.540 ; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature intends to extend and evaluate the cannabis social equity program, and conduct a review and analysis of the first round of licensing and grant awards that was recently conducted before 2025, to support the successful implementation of the cannabis social equity program. By requiring the liquor and cannabis board, in consultation with the department of commerce when appropriate, to evaluate the cannabis social equity program as provided in this act and submit a report with findings and policy options to the governor and legislature by December 1, 2025, the legislature will have an opportunity in the 2026 legislative session to make any policy changes the legislature deems appropriate. The legislature also intends to extend the cannabis social equity program an additional two years until July 1, 2034, and remove a restriction on the issuance of grants to cannabis licensees who meet the social equity applicant criteria. The evaluation required by this act must include opportunities for public feedback, and the identification of any provisions of law or rule and any economic, market, or practical factors that effectively prevent or hinder the successful opening, operation, and business success of cannabis businesses licensed under the cannabis social equity program. This will provide the legislature with information to ensure policies are in place to support successful and efficient implementation of the program.
Sec. 2. RCW 69.50.335 and 2023 c 220 s 3 are each amended to read as follows: