Seattle’s mayor just advanced social equity in cannabis through new legislation

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Social equity is becoming the heart of cannabis policies across the US

Social equity in Seattle’s cannabis industry has now been bolstered thanks to the passage of three bills last Tuesday. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrel has no doubt that balancing the playing field for a more equitable cannabis market is a bad idea and that’s why he has put his signature on this trio of legislation to start the week.

According to the mayor, he believes that both the city and the nation are trying to look at an industry that historically has been used to marginalize communities. That is why Harrel believes that establishing policies such as these is a necessary step for “new generations of injustice and discrimination caused by what was then called the War on Drugs, which left so many black communities and communities of color so far behind.”

CB 120391 is the first measure to have been signed. The document establishes a regulatory framework for Emerald City to issue social equity licenses. This process will be done in partnership with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB). In addition, the legislation will now create a marijuana advisory committee to gather relevant equity information to begin experimenting in the marketplace.

To modify the cannabis licensing system, the second bill, CB 120392, has been signed into law, while CB 120393 outlines improvements in the protection and retention of jobs in the industry. All three proposals were developed by Harrel in the company of city council members and industry stakeholders. It has been considered a clear effort to address the various issues related to social equity in Seattle’s cannabis industry.