RCW 43.330.540
Cannabis social equity technical assistance grant program.
(1) The cannabis social equity technical assistance grant program is established and is to be administered by the department.
(2)(a) The cannabis social equity technical assistance grant program must award grants to:
(i) Cannabis license applicants who are social equity applicants submitting social equity plans under RCW 69.50.335; and
(ii) Cannabis licensees holding a license issued after June 30, 2020, and before July 25, 2021, who meet the social equity applicant criteria under RCW 69.50.335.
(b) Grant recipients under this subsection (2) must demonstrate completion of their project within 12 months of receiving a grant, unless a grant recipient requests, and the department approves, additional time to complete the project.
(3) The department must award grants primarily based on the strength of the social equity plans submitted by cannabis license applicants and cannabis licensees holding a license issued after June 30, 2020, and before July 25, 2021, but may also consider additional criteria if deemed necessary or appropriate by the department. Technical assistance activities eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:
(a) Assistance navigating the cannabis licensure process;
(b) Cannabis-business specific education and business plan development;
(c) Regulatory compliance training;
(d) Financial management training and assistance in seeking financing;
(e) Strengthening a social equity plan; and
(f) Connecting social equity applicants with established industry members and tribal cannabis enterprises and programs for mentoring and other forms of support.
(4) The department may contract to establish a roster of mentors who are available to support and advise social equity applicants and current licensees who meet the social equity applicant criteria under RCW 69.50.335. Contractors under this section must:
(a) Have knowledge and experience demonstrating their ability to effectively advise eligible applicants and licensees in navigating the state's licensing and regulatory framework or on producing and processing cannabis;
(b) Be a business that is at least 51 percent minority or woman-owned; and
(c) Meet department reporting and invoicing requirements.
(5) Funding for the cannabis social equity technical assistance grant program must be provided through the dedicated cannabis account under *RCW 69.50.540. Additionally, the department may solicit, receive, and expend private contributions to support the grant program.
(6) The department may adopt rules to implement this section.
(7) For the purposes of this section, "cannabis" has the meaning provided under RCW 69.50.101.
[ 2022 c 16 § 36; 2021 c 169 § 1; 2020 c 236 § 3.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: RCW 69.50.540 was amended by 2022 c 169 § 2, removing the reference to the dedicated cannabis account.
Intent—Finding—2022 c 16: See note following RCW 69.50.101.
Findings—Intent—2020 c 236: See note following RCW 69.50.335.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 43 - State Government—Executive
Chapter 43.330 - Department of Commerce.
43.330.007 - Management responsibility.
43.330.020 - Department created.
43.330.030 - Director—Appointment—Salary.
43.330.040 - Director powers and duties.
43.330.050 - Community and economic development responsibilities.
43.330.060 - Trade and business responsibilities.
43.330.065 - Identification of countries of strategic importance for international trade relations.
43.330.068 - International companies investing in Washington—Eligibility for excise tax incentives.
43.330.070 - Local development capacity—Training and technical assistance.
43.330.075 - Local government regulation and policy handouts—Technical assistance.
43.330.084 - Washington state quality award—Reimbursement of application fee.
43.330.086 - Contracts with associate development organizations—Schedule of awards.
43.330.094 - Tourism development and promotion account—Promotion of tourism industry.
43.330.100 - Local infrastructure and public facilities—Grants and loans.
43.330.110 - Housing—Energy assistance.
43.330.120 - Growth management.
43.330.125 - Assistance to counties and cities.
43.330.135 - Court-appointed special advocate programs—Funds—Eligibility.
43.330.150 - Fees—Conferences, workshops, training.
43.330.152 - Fees—Service and product delivery areas.
43.330.155 - Community and economic development fee account.
43.330.156 - Fees—Adoption by rule.
43.330.167 - Washington youth and families fund.
43.330.170 - Statewide housing market analysis.
43.330.181 - Office of apple health and homes—Responsibilities.
43.330.184 - Apple health and homes account.
43.330.187 - Rapid permanent supportive housing acquisition and development program.
43.330.190 - Reimbursement of extraordinary criminal justice costs.
43.330.270 - Innovation partnership zone program.
43.330.300 - Financial fraud and identity theft crimes investigation and prosecution program.
43.330.310 - Comprehensive green economy jobs growth initiative—Establishment.
43.330.330 - Funding energy efficiency improvements—Risk reduction mechanisms—Legislative intent.
43.330.340 - Appliance efficiency rebate program.
43.330.360 - Findings—Involvement of state bond authorities in financing energy efficiency projects.
43.330.365 - Electric vehicle incentive account.
43.330.370 - Evergreen jobs initiative.
43.330.409 - Broadband mapping, deployment, and adoption—Reports.
43.330.412 - Community technology opportunity program—Administration—Grant program.
43.330.421 - Advisory group on digital inclusion and technology planning.
43.330.425 - Advisory committee on permanent supportive housing.
43.330.430 - Developmental disabilities endowment—Definitions.
43.330.431 - Developmental disabilities endowment—Trust fund.
43.330.434 - Developmental disabilities endowment—Endowment principles.
43.330.435 - Developmental disabilities endowment—Development of operating plan—Elements.
43.330.436 - Developmental disabilities endowment—Program implementation and administration.
43.330.437 - Developmental disabilities endowment—Rules.
43.330.440 - Multijurisdictional regulatory streamlining projects—Establishment—Reports.
43.330.460 - Washington achieving a better life experience program—Definitions.
43.330.462 - Washington achieving a better life experience program account.
43.330.468 - Washington achieving a better life experience program—Governing board authority.
43.330.480 - Low-income home rehabilitation revolving loan program—Definitions.
43.330.482 - Low-income home rehabilitation revolving loan program.
43.330.488 - Low-income home rehabilitation revolving loan program—Account.
43.330.500 - Life sciences discovery fund.
43.330.502 - Life sciences discovery fund—Grants and contracts by department.
43.330.504 - Life sciences discovery fund—Department powers.
43.330.506 - Life sciences discovery fund—Limitation of liability.
43.330.510 - Keep Washington working statewide work group.
43.330.520 - Military installation incompatible development—Project list—Report.
43.330.530 - Broadband office—Definitions.
43.330.532 - Broadband office—Established—Purpose.
43.330.534 - Broadband office—Powers and duties.
43.330.536 - Broadband office—Goals.
43.330.538 - Broadband office—Reports.
43.330.539 - Broadband office—Digital equity plan.
43.330.5393 - Digital equity planning grant program.
43.330.5395 - Digital equity forum.
43.330.540 - Cannabis social equity technical assistance grant program.
43.330.542 - Environmental justice obligations of the department of commerce.
43.330.545 - Community engagement grants—Law enforcement.
43.330.550 - Employer-supported child care—Technical assistance.
43.330.560 - Office of renewable fuels—Definitions.
43.330.565 - Office of renewable fuels—Established.
43.330.570 - Office of renewable fuels—Duties.
43.330.575 - Renewable fuels accelerator account.
43.330.700 - Findings—Homeless youth.
43.330.702 - Homeless youth—Definitions.
43.330.705 - Homeless youth—Office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs.
43.330.706 - Homeless youth—Data and outcomes measures—Report.
43.330.715 - Homeless youth—Training program.
43.330.717 - Homeless youth—Review of state-funded programs.
43.330.723 - Youth and young adults exiting publicly funded system of care—Flexible funding.
43.330.725 - Youth and young adults exiting publicly funded system of care—System of care grants.
43.330.730 - Finding—2015 c 296.
43.330.735 - Washington small business retirement marketplace.
43.330.740 - Payment of marketplace expenses—Use of private and federal funding.
43.330.745 - Incentive payments.
43.330.750 - Rules—Rule development process.
43.330.760 - Intent—2021 c 64.
43.330.762 - Manufacturing—Goals and strategies—Reports—Manufacturing council.
43.330.765 - Manufacturing—Regional strategies—Grants.
43.330.767 - Manufacturing cluster acceleration account.
43.330.770 - Manufacturing—Workforce innovation sector lead—Reports.
43.330.772 - Subject to appropriation.
43.330.900 - References to director and department.
43.330.902 - Effective date—1993 c 280.
43.330.9021 - Effective date—1994 c 5.