Cannabis Social Equity Program grant assistance is sponsored by Washington State Department of Commerce. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Commerce Cannabis Social Equity Program - Startup Washington Washington State Department of Commerce Cannabis Social Equity Program The Washington State Department of Commerce is committed to helping you achieve your cannabis business goals. As a participant in the Commerce Cannabis Social Equity Program (CSEP), this website resource exists to support your work in opening a successful cannabis retail store.

The Commerce Cannabis Social Equity Program Training, technical assistance, mentorship and reimbursement grant funding As a successful social equity program applicant approved by the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) , please proceed with the social equity licensing process. Your first step is to register your business with the Secretary of State through Business Licensing Services (BLS) .

You can learn more about the program in our background information section, below. Please note: You are not required to select a location as part of this LCB process, and without selecting a location you are still eligible to receive technical assistance from Commerce. Once a location is selected and secured it will help expedite the grant reimbursement process under the Commerce Cannabis Social Equity Program (CSEP).

SEAs may be eligible for grants up to $100,000. Cannabis technical assistance training roadmap We strongly encourage you to review the following curriculum prior to applying for technical assistance and meeting with your mentor. This is to ensure that you are taking advantage of every learning opportunity available, that you are knowledge-ready, and one step closer to confidently opening and operating a successful cannabis retail store.

Chapter 1 – Intro to the Cannabis Business Roadmap View and download the chapter one materials. Chapter 2 – Set Up a Legally Compliant Business View and download the chapter two materials. Chapter 3 – Do the numbers View and download the chapter three materials.

Chapter 4 – Create Your Cannabis Business Plan View and download the chapter four materials. Chapter 5 – Everything real estate View and download the chapter five materials .

Cannabis Social Equity Program technical assistance and mentorship Once you’ve completed these cannabis training modules, your next step is to apply for technical assistance and one-on-one mentorship for more specific support towards successfully opening and operating a cannabis retail store.

Commerce will facilitate providing technical assistance and mentorship to Social Equity Applicants (SEA) through a vetted and contracted partner and expert in business development, opening and operating a cannabis retail business, and/or a specialized cannabis technical assistance area(s) of expertise, where you must submit an intake application form for technical assistance and mentorship using the designated intake application form .

Please contact your designated technical assistance provider with any questions regarding technical assistance or your intake form. We’ve added to the technical assistance categories listed in RCW 43. 330.

540 to include the following: Accounting practices: Receivables, payables, taxes and budgeting Building a team: HR related Business plan development Cannabis-business specific education Commercial cannabis real estate: How to negotiate a lease Complete cycle of business: Formation, operations and steady growth Financial planning/projections How to secure funding to operate a retail cannabis business Inventory: Planning and sourcing Legal assistance: Cannabis retail operations Marketing: Branding and public relations Regulatory compliance training Social equity plan strengthening State licensing requirements and navigation Washington Administrative Codes (WAC) Please contact your designated technical assistance provider with any questions regarding technical assistance or your intake form.

For CSEP technical assistance and mentorship SUBMIT AN INTAKE APPLICATION FOR CSEP TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/MENTORSHIP HERE As noted above, you must submit an intake application for technical assistance and mentorship using the designated intake application form .

Commerce will coordinate the provision of that support through a vetted and contracted partner and expert in business development, opening and operating a cannabis retail business, and/or a specialized cannabis technical assistance area(s) of expertise.

A conflict of interest can occur when an SEA uses their role, feedback, or influence within a program to steer, restrict, or manipulate a competitor’s business actions for their own market advantage, and because SEA are both peers and industry competitors, they possess an inherent incentive to protect their own market share.

Any opportunity to provide direction to a rival creates a clash between the program’s collaborative goals and the participant’s private commercial interests, and Commerce is alleviating that conflict. SEA are not allowed to offer, provide, or receive paid services either to/from themselves or to/from other SEA. Please remember to explore a business location.

To move forward to the next step in receiving a reimbursement grant from Commerce, a retail location must be selected and secured. If you have already completed the online curriculum and/or technical assistance modules, please indicate so on your Reimbursement Grant Application .

Cannabis Social Equity Program grant assistance To move forward to the next step in receiving a reimbursement grant from Commerce, a retail location must be selected and secured. Once you select and secure your location, it’s time to gather up your receipts and backup documentation in preparation of filling out the application to apply for grant assistance. Please note: There are no advance grant payments.

The applicant may be eligible to receive a base of $100,000 for eligible costs on a reimbursement basis after expenses are incurred and paid, and proper backup documentation has been submitted in a manner deemed acceptable by Commerce. Commerce retains the authority to adjust the level of financial support dependent on available funding and the information provided in each grant application.

Please note: It may take up to 20 business days to process your application. View and download a list of eligible expenses (PDF) . Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Grant application window closed June 15, 2026 .

All reimbursement requests must be submitted by June 30, 2026. Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 27) grant application window opens July 1, 2026 .

Required criteria for a reimbursement grant Cannabis Social Equity eligibility from Liquor & Cannabis Board (LCB) “Active” status with the Secretary of State of Washington Location selected and secured All previous CSEP grants closed Required application documentation Cannabis Social Equity eligibility notice from LCB Evidence of previous CSEP grants closed, if applicable Evidence of “Active” status with the Washington Secretary of State First application only : A written statement indicating if you have already completed the online curriculum and/or technical assistance modules, or if you have no interest in technical assistance mentorship.

First application only : Budget that identifies eligible expenses required for you to open your doors for business. Based on that budget , please identify the grant amount you are requesting reimbursement for. If requesting a grant to keep your doors open, provide a narrative statement indicating your current issue.

Fully executed and verifiable lease, intent to lease, memorandum of agreement, letter of interest confirming commitment to rent/lease Verifiable proof of charges and payments for all eligible costs being used for grant reimbursement must be provided in a manner deemed acceptable by Commerce Statewide vendor number (SWV). If you do not have an SWV, visit the Office of Financial Management (OFM) website to get one.

For CSEP grant for reimbursement of eligible expenses Please note : Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Grant application window closed June 15, 2026 . All reimbursement requests must be submitted by June 30, 2026 . Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 27) grant application window opens July 1, 2026 .

In addition to standard CSEP reimbursement grants, Commerce is instituting a pilot process where Commerce may approve SEA invoices currently due and payable, but which the SEA has not already paid. The requirements are as follows: The SEA must have already reconciled/closed any and all grants/contracts/funds previously received from any Commerce program, consistent with current requirements, including any repayment obligations.

Invoices must be for allowable expenses under the Cannabis in Social Equity Technical Assistance Grant Program, not to exceed the amount of $15,000. The SEA must verify the invoice was paid after Commerce funds were provided. Verifiable backup documentation acceptable to Commerce must be provided to Commerce within 10 business days after Commerce transmits payment to the SEA.

No new pilot invoices will be processed until payment of the previous pilot invoice has been verified in Commerce’s sole determination. Commerce reserves the right to recapture funds if these requirements are not met. The pilot process may be modified or ended upon notice from Commerce.

Commerce retains the authority to adjust the level of financial support dependent on available funding and the information provided in each grant application. View and download the CSEP grant program terms and conditions . View and download the CSEP program guidelines.

Cannabis Social Equity Program background information In 2023, SB 5080 expanded and improved the Social Equity in Cannabis program by amending the disproportionately impacted area (DIA) to mean a census tract within Washington state where community members were more likely to be impacted by the War on Drugs.

These areas must be determined in rule by LCB, in consultation with the Office of Equity, using a standardized statistical equation to identify areas with demographic indicators consistent with populations most impacted. Visit their website to learn more about the Social Equity Program, administered by the Liquor and Cannabis Board .

The Cannabis Social Equity Program was developed to create a process for the LCB to award cannabis business licenses to those identified as disproportionately affected by Washington’s War on Drugs.

Commerce offers a web-based on-demand training resource, and is responsible for awarding and administering grants for technical assistance, mentorship and grant funding to reimburse eligible expenses so applicants can open a successful cannabis retail store. View and download the Cannabis Social Equity Program (CSEP) frequently asked questions (PDF).

As you work through the training modules and consider your grant application, you may have questions or wish to discuss some of the things you have learned. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please email the Program Manager at SEgrants@commerce. wa.

gov .