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*May 1, 2025*




Cannabis Social Equity Program Registration Window: June 2 to July 1, 2025

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The Liquor and Cannabis Board is excited to announce that the registration window for the Cannabis Social Equity Program will be opening June 2, 2025, through July 1, 2025. This window will be open for *30 calendar days*.

 

Registration will be done through LCB’s online Portal [ [link removed] ], and only cannabis retail licenses are available through the program at this time. The Cannabis Social Equity Program is intended to identify those most impacted by the War on Drugs and promote access to the legal cannabis market in Washington.

 

To qualify for the Social Equity program, an applicant must have at least 51 percent ownership by one or more individuals who meet at least *two* of the following qualifications:


* Lived in a disproportionately impacted area in Washington state for a minimum of five years between 1980 and 2010;
* Has been arrested or convicted of a cannabis offense or has a family member who has been arrested or convicted of a cannabis offense;
* Had a household income that was less than the median household income within the state of Washington as calculated by the United States census bureau; or
* Is both a socially and economically disadvantaged individual as defined by the office of minority and women's business enterprises under chapter 39.19 RCW.

 

Qualifying for the Social Equity program also requires a high score and does not guarantee you will receive a cannabis retail license. The Social Equity section of LCB’s website [ [link removed] ] provides the most up to date information on the program.

 

Registration Process

The application process for the Cannabis Social Equity Program has changed. The first step in this process will be to register through LCB’s online Portal [ [link removed] ], which will ask for some basic identifying information. Registration does not guarantee a license.

*"Do not"*" apply with the Department of Revenue for Business Licensing Services until you are notified by the LCB for approval."

 

After the registration window closes, third-party contractor Alta Point Consulting, LLC., will notify registrants when and how to submit documents for review. Alta Point Consulting will determine if you are eligible for the program under the rules set by the Board (WAC 314.55.570 [ [link removed] ]), and score qualifying registrants who complete applications.

 

Alta Point Consulting will send the final scores to LCB. The LCB will notify the highest scoring registrants if they are approved to start the application process for a cannabis retail license. The approved applicants will then apply with Business Licensing Services.

 

What Can You Do Now?

To prepare for the registration window, it is important to begin gathering documents that verify you meet two of the four qualifications listed above. Check out our educational video series [ [link removed] ] for more information about the registration and application process, types of documentation, and more.

For the most recent updates on the Cannabis Social Equity Program, please visit the* **LCB website* [ [link removed] ]. You can also follow the Social Equity blog [ [link removed] ] and LCB on Bluesky Social [ [link removed] ].

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