Official Text and Analysis.

Expands the purpose of the Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis (Task Force) to include providing recommendations to the Liquor and Cannabis Board on the issuance of existing cannabis producer and processor licenses.

Removes certain required recommendation topics for the Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis, including recommendations regarding the social equity impact of: (1) Altering residential cannabis agriculture regulations; (2) Shifting primary regulation of cannabis production from the Liquor and Cannabis Board to the Department of Agriculture; (3) Removing nonviolent cannabis-related felonies and misdemeanors from obtaining a cannabis license; (4) Creating cannabis industry workforce training opportunities for underserved communities; (5) Redirecting funds from the Washington State Patrol Drug Enforcement Task Force to the Cannabis Social Equity Program; and (6) Creating new cannabis license types.

Removes the emergency clause. Provides that the bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed, rather than immediately.

Requires the Liquor and Cannabis Board to consult with interested parties, rather than advocates, in adopting rules to establish certain criteria to be considered a social equity applicant and to further define the criteria of a disproportionately impacted area.

• Expands the purpose of the Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis (task force). • Modifies task force reporting requirements, including adding task force recommendation topics and extending the due date for the final task force recommendations to December 9, 2022. • Expands eligible applicants and funding activities under the Cannabis Social Equity Technical Assistance Grant Program. • Authorizes the Department of Commerce to contract to establish a roster of mentors to support and advise certain social equity applicants and licensees.

House concurred in Senate amendment(s).