The Social Equity in Cannabis Program was established to provide a fair and just process for awarding cannabis retail licenses to individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of previous cannabis laws​.

The eligibility process aims to identify and select qualified social equity registrants for retail cannabis licenses in Washington State. The process includes eligibility verification, scoring, and a double-blind lottery for final selection if necessary​.

Alta Point Consulting, LLC is the third-party contractor responsible for reviewing documentation, scoring eligible registrants, and ensuring a transparent selection process​.

A DIA is defined as a census tract within Washington where community members have been significantly impacted by the war on drugs. It is identified through statistical indicators like poverty rates, unemployment, education levels, and public assistance.

To qualify as a social equity applicant, individuals must have 51% ownership and meet at least two of the four eligibility criteria: Lived in a Disproportionately Impacted Area (DIA) in Washington State for at least one year between 1980 and 2010. Convicted or arrested for a cannabis or drug-related offense or had a family member who was. Had a household income below the state median in the past calendar year. Is both socially and economically disadvantaged as defined by the office of minority and women's business enterprises.

Registrants must provide, but not limited to: Proof of residency in a Disproportionately Impacted Area (DIA) - (e.g., lease agreements and tax returns). Court records for any qualifying drug-related conviction (if applicable). Proof of household income (e.g., tax returns, W-2 forms). Proof of medical cannabis business ownership (if applicable).

Register on the LCB online portal. Provide your information on the Reviewr platform, including all required sections. Upload supporting documentation for eligibility verification. Submit your documentation before the deadline. Monitor your status through the portal​.

Yes, The registration window through LCB is open from June 2, 2025 to July 1, 2025. You have 21 calendar days to provide documentation to Alta Point Consulting after you have been notified.

Yes, you will have an additional 21-day period to provide supplemental documentation before your final score is determined.

Eligibility Check – Documentation are reviewed to ensure they meet minimum eligibility criteria. Scoring – Eligible registrants are scored based on the LCB-provided rubric. Preliminary Results – Registrants receive initial results with an opportunity to submit additional information. Final Scoring – Scores are finalized and ranked.

Applications are reviewed and scored by an independent social equity contractor. The scoring rubric assesses residency in a DIA, convictions, household income, previous ownership of cannabis-related businesses, and other factors.

The maximum possible score is 300 points, distributed as follows: Residence in a Disproportionately Impacted Area: Up to 60 points Conviction (Self/Family): Up to 60 points (self) and 30 points (family) Sentence Type: Up to 60 points Household Income: Up to 45 points Medical Cannabis Ownership: Up to 30 points Previous Social Equity Application: Up to15 points​

Registrants will receive their preliminary score via email, with a breakdown of their points and an opportunity to submit additional information during the 21-day remedy period​.

If scores are tied among qualified registrants, a double-blind lottery will determine the final selection​.

Yes. Applicants can submit additional documentation within 21 days of receiving their preliminary score to potentially improve the final score. If disputes remain after the final score is issued, administrative review processes may apply.

For technical support, you can: Visit the FAQ page on the application portal. Submit a support request via email or phone (available Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM PST). Ensure your documents are in the correct format (PDF, JPG, PNG, max size 10 MB).

Registrants can access the portal via our dedicated application platform managed by Alta Point Consulting​.

Once all registrants have been scored, LCB will notify you of your status and provide information on next steps in the process.