What's New
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The LCB is currently sending notification letters to Social Equity Applicants through September 27, 2023.
If you received a withdrawal notification and wish to appeal the withdrawal, LCB must receive your appeal request by the close of business, no later than twenty (20) calendar days from the date your withdrawal notice was emailed to you. Only the individual listed on the application may request an appeal of your withdrawal. Include your license number, tradename and withdrawal letter in the request. Submit your request to licensingappeals@lcb.wa.gov. If an appeal is requested, a Statement of Intent will be emailed to you with a form to complete to formally request a hearing. If you’d like to request a copy of your records, including your rubric score, you may do so through the portal on our web site.
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Board Meeting Presentation (Sept. 13, 2023)
The LCB Licensing division provided an update and tentative timeline for notification letters at the regularly scheduled Board meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 13. You can view the meeting recording here and view the presentation here. The licensingsocialequity@lcb.wa.gov email inbox is now re-opened. Please direct all questions related to the Cannabis Social Equity program to this email address. Thank you!
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Cannabis Social Equity Application Updates (Sept. 5, 2023)
The LCB has begun receiving completed applications back from Ponder Diversity Group (PDG). When all applications are received, the LCB will begin the next steps for each applicant based off PDG’s reviewed and scored applications.
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Moving Forward with Social Equity Video (Summer 2023)
The LCB released a video with some brief reminders for current cannabis social equity applicants and a brief overview of SB 5080 with some things to come. View it on our YouTube channel here.
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Applications Under Review (Summer 2023)
Current social equity applications are under review by third party contractor, Ponder Diversity Group. All questions regarding current applications must be directed to them.
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Application Window Extension (Mar. 30, 2023)
The Liquor and Cannabis Board approved an emergency rule proposal to extend the application deadline for social equity cannabis retail licenses from March 30, 2023 to April 27, 2023. The new deadline for applications is April 27, 2023 at 5 p.m.
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Application Window Open (Mar. 1 - 30. 2023)
The application window is now open for the Social Equity Program. Qualifying applicants can submit an application through Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Services portal. You will need to use SecureAccess Washington (SAW) credentials. Review the applicant checklist for more information and preparation.
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Rubric Descriptions Updated (Feb. 2023)
The LCB worked to add clarifying language to the Social Equity Program rubric. The rubric was determined in the finalized rules, but this document provides additional information and clarity around some of the qualifications.
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Disproportionately Impacted Area (DIA) Maps (available Jan. 11, 2023)
One of the requirements for opening the social equity application window is identifying Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIAs) to determine applicant eligibility for the program. These are now available on our website and potential applicants can check their address history on the DIA map here.
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Technical Assistance Program
FREE educational courses through MakeGreenGo! are available now. The modules were updated in Jan. 2023 to include information specific to the LCB application process. Sign up for these free modules on business basics, financial planning and cannabis industry specifics here. -
Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force Final Report (Dec. 9, 2022)
The Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force provided their final report to the Governor and Legislature on Dec. 9, 2022. You can read the full report here.