SEATTLE (AP) — Five years after Washington launched its legal marijuana market, officials are proposing an overhaul of the state’s industry rules, with plans for boosting minority ownership, paving the way for home deliveries of medical cannabis and letting the smallest growers increase the size of their operations to become more competitive.
One issue the Liquor and Cannabis Board could rethink is whether to abandon the state’s seed-to-sale marijuana tracking program, which has been beset by software issues, in favor of a system where businesses report their transactions to the board and are then audited. Another is whether to prepare to allow marijuana exports, as Oregon did this year, in the event the federal government approves it.
For the next session of the Legislature, the board has proposed two bills. One would encourage greater ownership of marijuana businesses by minorities, women and military veterans.
The legislation would also create a technical assistance program that would provide grants totaling at least $100,000 per year to help those businesses navigate the licensing process, receive financial training, and buy equipment or facilities.