Cultiva Law’s Pro Bono Program for Social Equity Applicants
Cultiva Law has announced that it will be offering pro bono legal services to qualified Social Equity Applicants in the Washington state cannabis market. The State of Washington has chosen to hand-select “mentors” and allocate funding to pay for those mentors. We believe this idea was made with the best intent, but red tape have impacted access to the program. Application launched March 1st, 2023 and are due by March 30th, 2023. After receiving many calls about this process we saw a deep need within the industry, specifically regarding Social Equity applicants. It has been over a decade since the state first passed I-502, almost a decade since the first store opened, and it is difficult to say the industry is thriving. At Cultiva Law, we have come up with solutions for the industry, and assisted regulators and licensees navigate the laws. We have members of our Firm that have participated in countless hours of providing services along the way. We looked at the Social Equity program, we even hosted a few podcasts on the issues within. But the time has come to act. Over the next year we will grow more than years prior, as we push the envelope in a new way an industry centered way. We have always stood side by side with our Clients, as they faced the unknowns of a new industry, and it’s time we get back to those days, in the trenches.
As part of the firm’s commitment to advancing social equity in the cannabis industry, Cultiva Law will be providing legal assistance to those who have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs and have limited financial resources. The pro bono services will be aimed at helping qualified Social Equity Applicants navigate the legal and regulatory landscape of the cannabis industry in Washington state.
“We believe that access to legal services is crucial to supporting and promoting social equity in the cannabis industry,” said Aaron Pelley, founder of Cultiva Law. “Many of the people who are applying now are part of a group that were marginalized in the first application process and as a firm, we are dedicated to using our legal expertise to support the success of these applicants.”
“Cultiva Law has always been committed to advancing social equity in the cannabis industry,” said Chris Girard, Strategic Development at Cultiva Law. “We have seen this industry unfold over the last ten years, and we are proud to offer pro bono legal services to qualified Social Equity Applicants in Washington state, we look forward to working with these applicants, not only to help them succeed in this industry, but also assist with balancing the scales of industry and justice.”
To qualify for pro bono legal services from Cultiva Law, Social Equity Applicants must meet certain criteria by meeting the eligibility requirements set forth by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. Our services are limited to business formation, application preparation, licensing/document allocation and preparation, as well as discussions with regulators as you move through the process. For personal and ethical reasons we are not able to draft your Social Equity Plan, but can ensure that the plan contains the required framework. We may need to limit the number of applicants we accept into our program.
Cultiva Law has been a leading law firm in the cannabis industry since 2007, providing legal services to businesses, investors, and individuals in the cannabis industry. We have uniquely extensive experience working with clients on regulatory compliance, licensing, intellectual property, corporate transactions, and litigation.
For more information on Cultiva Law and its pro bono legal services for Social Equity Applicants, please visit https://www.cultivalaw.com/
OR Contact:
Chris Girard
Cultiva Law
206-480-1600
