SB 5080 Final Rules (CR-103) filed on Cannabis Social Equity

Written by the LCB Social Equity Team

The Liquor and Cannabis Board approved final rule amendments to the Social Equity in Cannabis Program (WAC 314–55–570) to implement Senate Bill 5080 in law as RCW 69.50.335. This law expands and improves the Social Equity in Cannabis Program, the amendments will take effect Jan. 18, 2025.

This rulemaking involves expanding the eligibility criteria to include a broader range of individuals impacted by the War on Drugs, refining the application process to be more accessible, and improving the verification methods for eligibility with revisions to the rubric for evaluating and scoring applications.

5080 Rulemaking Timeline

• CR 101 was filed Nov. 8, 2023, as WSR #23–23–062.
• CR 102 was filed Aug. 6, 2024, as WSR #24–16–130.
  Public hearing was held Sept. 11, 2024.
• Supplemental CR 102 was filed Oct. 23, 2024, as WSR #24–21–169.
  Public hearing was held Dec. 4, 2024.
• Supplemental CR 103 was filed Dec. 18, 2024, as WSR #25–01–159.

More information is available on the LCB Current Rulemaking Activity page. If you have questions about this announcement, please contact rules@lcb.wa.gov. Thank you for all the participation during the feedback sessions and rulemaking commenting period.

Please continue to monitor our blog for additional program updates and make sure you sign up for our GovDelivery listserv to get email updates here.