Seattle shaping new legislation to try to address social equity in city’s marijuana economy

Uncle Ike’s 15th Ave E (Image: CHS)

Efforts to address inequity in Seattle’s retail marijuana industry are moving beyond task forces and forums and beginning to be shaped by legislation to create new programs and rules in the city. Wednesday morning, officials will brief the Seattle City Council’s Finance and Housing Committee chaired by Teresa Mosqueda on coming legislation hoped to help workers keep their jobs when businesses and licenses are sold and changes in licensing to boost opportunities for BIPOC ownership.

CHS reported here on the work of the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force to address the lack of diverse ownership in the industry and working conditions for frontline employees.

Legislation designed to address those issues is now taking shape under three efforts, according to Wednesday morning’s presentation (PPT) to Mosqueda’s committee:

Worker Retention & Transparency – Office of Labor Standards: Legislation
to be proposed here would include protections for workers at shops undergoing a license transfer and sale.
Licensing – Finance & Administrative Services: Officials are proposing an overall increase in the fee charged to applicants by the city in addition to waiving fees for qualifying “social equity” applicants.
Memorializing Next Steps: Possible legislation would include proposals to attempt to address past issues in drug policy by making it easier to expunge criminal records.

Wednesday’s presentation provided no specific timeline for introducing new legislation and proposals. Any new legislation would need to pass through the committee and the full council. According to a city council spokesperson, representatives from Mayor Bruce Harrel’s office were scheduled to be part of Wednesday’s session.

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