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CANNABIS SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRAM – REGISTRATION GUIDE FOR REMEDY PERIOD

Application Review in Progress: What to Know

Thank you for submitting your application to the WSLCB Social Equity in Cannabis Program. We are currently reviewing submissions and evaluating documentation for accuracy and completeness. This includes verifying eligibility and scoring criteria.

You will soon receive a preliminary score notification. That letter will show which of your claimed points were verified, which were not, and which may require further documentation.

Before the formal remedy period begins, you will have at least 3 days to gather documents in response to your feedback. This gives you time to prepare any materials you may wish to submit.

Contact Information Temporarily Unavailable

We are not able to respond to inquiries by email or phone until the remedy period officially begins. This policy exists to ensure fairness for all registrants, which is why we cannot make updates or respond to requests outside of that timeframe. Once the period starts, we’ll reach out, and any official updates will come only through the designated channels.

What You Can Do Now: Common Issues and How to Fix Them

In advance of receiving your feedback letter, we want to share some of the most common issues we’re seeing during application review — and how to address them when the time comes.

 1. Residence in a Disproportionately Impacted Area (DIA)

What we see: A single document, like a driver’s license or lease, showing residency at one moment in time.

What’s needed: At least 5 years of cumulative residency in a DIA between 1980 and 2010.

How to fix it:

  • Submit documents from multiple years (e.g., leases, tax records, school records, utility bills).

  • If you can’t locate official records, submit a detailed signed statement (affidavit) explaining your residency history. Additional supporting info is encouraged.

2. Income Below State Median

What we see: One W-2 or incomplete tax information.

What’s needed: Proof of total household income for the most recent full calendar year, including all contributors.

How to fix it:

  • Submit your full federal tax return (Form 1040).

  • Include income info for all contributing household members.

  • If tax returns are unavailable, include multiple W-2s, employer letters, or a signed affidavit with household size and total income.

3. Time-Based Claims (Residency, Incarceration, Employment)

What we see: A document proving where someone lived or worked, but only for a short period.

What’s needed: We must confirm how long the condition applied — for example, 6+ years of DIA residency or medical cannabis ownership.

How to fix it:

  • Use documents that show multiple points in time.

  • Include pay stubs or W-2s from several years, school or housing records, incarceration timelines.

  • Add a written statement to explain gaps or confirm dates.

 4. Cannabis Convictions (Self or Family)

What we see: Court or arrest records with no context, or missing family relationship documentation.

What’s needed: Proof of the conviction and (for family claims) proof of your relationship to the individual.

How to fix it:

  • Submit court records or sentencing documentation.

  • If claiming a family member, include a birth certificate, shared address, or affidavit explaining the relationship.

Who qualifies as “family”?
A family member can include your parent, grandparent, child (including step, adopted, or foster), sibling, spouse or domestic partner, or someone you lived with in a relationship involving mutual care.

5. Prior Social Equity Application (HB 2870)

What we see: Applicant says they applied in 2020 but provides no documentation.

What’s needed: Confirmation that you applied under HB 2870, qualified, and did not receive a license.

How to fix it:

  • Submit your 2020 application confirmation or WSLCB correspondence.

  • If you don’t have a copy, a public record or affidavit referencing your name and submission will help.

Reminder: Affidavits Are Accepted

If you don’t have formal documents, you may submit a signed statement explaining your situation.

  • Affidavits do not need to be notarized.

  • They must include enough detail, context, and clarity to support your claim and allow a reasonable person to believe it is true.

What Happens Next
  1. You will receive a preliminary score and feedback letter.

  2. You’ll have at least 3 days to prepare.

  3. Then, the formal 21-day remedy window will open — you’ll get a second notice at that time.

  4. During the remedy window, you can upload any new or updated documents through the applicant portal.

Thank you for being part of this process.
We know this work is personal, and we’re committed to ensuring that every application is reviewed thoroughly and fairly.

Alta Point Consulting is proud to partner with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) to provide dedicated Registrant Support for individuals participating in the Social Equity in Cannabis Program.

altapointconsulting.com

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