The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) announced Aug. 3 that it has proposed rules to create the Social Equity in Cannabis Program, launching a public comment period on the draft regulations.

The Social Equity in Cannabis program is in response to recommendations from the state’s Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force, as well as other statutory requirements, according to the LCB’s bulletin.

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The LCB’s proposal would create a regulatory framework to distribute cannabis business licenses that are available from retail licenses that have been forfeited, revoked or canceled by the board, as well as retail licenses that were never previously issued by regulators.

The draft rules would also change the word “marijuana” to “cannabis” throughout the LCB’s regulations to implement Second Substitute House Bill 1210, which passed in the 2022 legislative session.

The LCB will hold a public hearing on the proposed rules during the board’s regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 14.

Those wishing to provide public comment on the proposal may also do so by emailing rules@lcb.wa.gov.