Location identification and business readiness (technical assistance only). Phase one focuses on preparing the SEA to identify a viable cannabis retail location and understand the business, financial, licensing, and compliance requirements needed to move forward. Support may include readiness assessments, cannabis-specific education, business plan development, social equity plan strengthening, financial projections, funding strategy, licensing navigation, regulatory education, market and site-search preparation, real estate readiness coaching, and mentor support. This phase is technical assistance only and does not support direct grant reimbursement.

Location identification to letter of intent. Phase two supports applicants who are actively evaluating potential retail locations and working toward a property commitment. Technical assistance and eligible costs may focus on site evaluation, zoning and distance-restriction review, landlord outreach, feasibility review, insurance considerations, preliminary vendor planning and development of a letter of intent, memorandum of agreement, letter of interest, or comparable documentation confirming the property owner’s commitment to lease the location.

Letter of intent to lease execution. Phase three helps applicants move from a property commitment to a fully executed lease. Support may include lease negotiation, legal review, due diligence, landlord coordination, market-rate review, insurance planning, financial planning, LCB location compliance support and documentation needed to verify that the applicant is ready to secure site control. Certain pilot invoice requests may be considered during this phase when the invoice is currently due and payable, directly supports movement from LOI to lease execution, and meets all program requirements.

Lease execution to operations. Phase four supports applicants who have executed a lease and are preparing to open. This phase may include licensing navigation, permitting, build-out planning, construction coordination, store design, vendor coordination, accounting and cash-flow systems, payroll and workforce planning, point-of-sale and inventory systems, security planning, branding, website development, compliance readiness, inspection preparation and other opening-readiness activities. Eligible reimbursement and pilot invoice support may be available when expenses are properly documented, reasonable, necessary, tied to the approved location and aligned with the applicant’s award conditions.

In operations. Phase five supports applicants that have opened or are operating a licensed cannabis retail business. Support is focused on eligible standard reimbursement, accounting and tax compliance, payroll and workforce support, operational compliance, recordkeeping, sustainability planning, reporting and grant closeout. Applicants that are open or operating must generally use the standard reimbursement process and are not eligible to use pilot invoice funding for post-opening operations.

Location identification and business readiness. Technical assistance focuses on intake, curriculum review, readiness assessment, business planning, social equity plan strengthening, financial projections, funding strategy, licensing navigation, regulatory education, market and site-search preparation and real estate readiness coaching.

Location identification to letter of intent. Technical assistance supports site evaluation, zoning and LCB location considerations, landlord outreach, feasibility review, insurance requirements, financial feasibility, preliminary vendor planning and preparation of an LOI, MOA, letter of interest, or comparable property commitment.

Letter of intent to lease execution. Technical assistance helps SEAs move from a property commitment to a fully executed lease through lease negotiation support, legal review, due diligence, site control documentation, landlord coordination, market-rate review, insurance planning, LCB location compliance support and financial planning.

Lease execution to operations. Technical assistance supports opening readiness, including build-out planning, permitting, store design, vendor coordination, accounting, tax, payroll, cash-flow systems, regulatory compliance, inspection readiness, POS and inventory systems, staffing, workforce development, branding, website development, security planning and operational launch preparation.

In operations. Technical assistance supports stabilization and sustainability through eligible post-opening reimbursement support, accounting and tax compliance, payroll and workforce support, operational compliance, recordkeeping, reporting, grant closeout and long-term business sustainability planning.

Location identification and business readiness

When to apply: When you are preparing to identify a viable cannabis retail location and need help understanding readiness, licensing, business planning, financial planning, and compliance requirements.

Support may include: Readiness assessment, curriculum review, business plan development, social equity plan strengthening, financial projections, funding strategy, licensing navigation, regulatory education, site-search preparation and real estate readiness coaching.

Location identification to letter of intent

When to apply: when you are actively evaluating potential locations and working toward an LOI, MOA, letter of interest, or comparable property commitment.

Support may include: Site evaluation, zoning and LCB location considerations, landlord outreach, feasibility review, insurance requirements, financial feasibility, preliminary vendor planning and property commitment preparation.

Letter of intent to lease execution

When to apply: When you have a current property commitment and need help moving toward a fully executed lease.

Support may include: Lease negotiation support, legal review, due diligence, site control documentation, landlord coordination, market-rate review, insurance planning, LCB location compliance support and financial planning.

Lease execution to operations

When to apply: Apply when you have executed a lease and are preparing to open your cannabis retail store.

Support may include: Build-out planning, permitting, store design, vendor coordination, accounting, tax, payroll, cash-flow systems, regulatory compliance, inspection readiness, POS and inventory systems, staffing, branding, website development, security planning, and operational launch preparation.

In operations 

When to apply: Wen your business is open or operating and you need support with compliant operations, reimbursement, reporting, recordkeeping, closeout, or sustainability.

Support may include: Accounting and tax compliance, payroll and workforce support, operational compliance, recordkeeping, reporting, reimbursement support, grant closeout and long-term sustainability planning.

Applicant status: Applicant has identified a viable retail location and is working toward an LOI, MOA, letter of interest, or comparable property commitment.

Grant application focus: May apply for eligible support tied to location identification, site evaluation, feasibility, landlord outreach, and preparation of property commitment documentation.

Applicant status: Applicant has a current property commitment and is working toward a fully executed lease.

Grant application focus: May apply for eligible support tied to due diligence, lease negotiation, legal review, insurance planning, LCB location compliance, and lease execution readiness.

Applicant status: Applicant has executed a lease and is preparing to open.

Grant application focus: May apply for eligible support tied to licensing, permitting, build-out, staffing, business systems, compliance readiness, and operational launch preparation.

Applicant status: Applicant has opened or is operating a licensed cannabis retail business.

Grant application focus: May apply for eligible standard reimbursement support tied to compliant operations, sustainability, reporting, recordkeeping, and grant closeout.

• Prior funding status: No prior CSEP grant funding received in Rounds one or two
• Location documentation to be submitted: Fully executed lease and LCB certificate of location compliance submitted with FY 2027 application
• FY 2027 initial grant award: $200,000
• FY 2027 additional funding: To be determined based on funding availability

• Prior funding status: No prior CSEP grant funding received in Rounds one or two
• Location documentation to be submitted: Fully executed LOI, MOA or letter of interest and LCB certificate of location compliance submitted with FY 2027 application
• FY 2027 initial grant award: $50,000
• FY 2027 additional funding: Additional $150,000 funding upon fully executed lease

• Prior funding status: Received FY 2026 funding with a fully executed lease for different location
• Location documentation to be submitted: Fully executed lease for new location and LCB certificate of location compliance submitted with FY 2027 application
• FY 2027 initial grant award: $150,000
• FY 2027 additional funding: Additional $50,000 when in operation

• Prior funding status: Received FY 2026 funding with a fully executed LOI, MOA, or letter of interest
• Location documentation to be submitted: New FY 2027 LOI submitted with LCB certificate of location compliance
• FY 2027 initial grant award: $15,000
• FY 2027 additional funding: Additional $185,000 funding upon fully executed lease

• Prior funding status: Received FY 2026 funding with a fully executed LOI, MOA, or letter of interest
• Location documentation to be submitted: Fully executed lease and LCB certificate of location compliance submitted with FY 2027 application
• FY 2027 initial grant award: $150,000
• FY 2027 additional funding: Additional $50,000 funding upon fully executed lease

• Prior funding status: Received FY 2025 funding
• Location documentation to be submitted: Fully executed lease and LCB certificate of location compliance submitted with FY 2027 application
• FY 2027 initial grant award: $50,000
• FY 2027 additional funding: Additional $50,000 when in operation

• Prior funding status: Received prior funding in FY 2025 and/or FY 2026
• Location documentation to be submitted: In operation
• FY 2027 initial grant award: $25,000
• FY 2027 additional funding: To be determined based on funding availability

We need evidence that previous Commerce Cannabis Social Equity Program grants have been closed, if applicable.

Purpose: Required for applicants that previously received CSEP funding to demonstrate that prior grants have been reconciled, required reporting has been completed, and any repayment obligations have been satisfied.

We need evidence of active status with the Washington Secretary of State.

Purpose: Confirms that the applicant’s business entity is currently registered and maintains active status. Documentation may include a Certificate of Existence, business lookup, or other official verification.

If applicable, we need a timeline of technical assistance and mentorship received.

Purpose: Provides a summary of technical assistance, mentorship, and training received through the Program, including completion of online curriculum, business plan assistance, mentorship sessions, or a statement that technical assistance was not requested or not needed.

Purpose: A detailed budget identifies eligible expenses needed to open, operate, or sustain the cannabis retail business and supports the applicant’s requested grant amount or reimbursement request.

We need evidence that your retail location has been selected and secured.

Purpose: Demonstrates that an eligible retail location has been secured. Acceptable documentation may include a fully executed lease, intent to lease, memorandum of agreement, letter of intent, or letter of interest confirming the property owner’s commitment to lease the location.

We require verifible proof of charges and payments for eligible expenses.

Purpose: Required for reimbursement requests. Documentation may include invoices, receipts, proof of payment, contracts, consulting agreements, deliverables, and other records showing eligible expenses were incurred, paid, and directly related to the approved cannabis retail business.

Purpose: A completed and signed W-9 is required to establish the applicant as a payee and support payment processing by Commerce.

Purpose: Applicants must provide a Washington Statewide Vendor Number (SWV) issued through the Washington State Office of Financial Management. Applicants that do not already have one must obtain one before grant funds can be disbursed.

If you do not have a Statewide Vendor Number, please visit the Office of Financial Management (OFM) website to complete the supplier registration form.

You must complete a direct deposit form for your business bank account (the same account provided, below) and include this with your supplier registration form.

Purpose: Applicants must verify an open and active business bank account in the name of the licensed SEA business. If an applicant has multiple SEA licenses, a separate business bank account may be required for each business or SEA license.

Generally eligible expense types: Business consulting and professional services, bookkeeping and accounting support, engineering, surveying, planning, permitting support, legal, CPA, tax, audit services, licenses, permits, filing fees, inspections, POS or cloud-based software subscriptions, travel tied to the approved location and milestone and other Commerce-approved costs.

Generally ineligible expense types: Direct grant reimbursement is not available for Phase 1. Phase 2 does not support pilot funding. Construction, commercial rent, CAM, utilities, payroll, employee training, signage, security monitoring, inventory, equipment, hardware, owner compensation, taxes, deposits, prepayments, advertising, lobbying, land or building purchase and unrelated office or warehouse costs are generally not eligible.

Generally eligible expense types: Architectural services, bookkeeping and accounting support, business consulting and professional services, engineering, surveying, planning, permitting, insurance, legal, CPA, tax, audit services, licenses, permits, filing fees, inspections, POS or cloud-based software subscriptions, travel tied to the approved location and milestone and other Commerce-approved costs. Pilot process requests may be considered for eligible due and payable invoices that support movement from LOI to lease execution.

Generally ineligible expense types: Commercial rent, CAM, construction, utilities, payroll, employee training, permanent fixtures, signage, security monitoring, inventory, equipment, hardware, owner compensation, taxes, deposits, prepayments, advertising, lobbying, land or building purchase and unrelated office or warehouse costs are generally not eligible before lease execution unless Commerce approves otherwise.

Generally eligible expense types: Aroma retail services, architectural services, banking fees, bookkeeping and accounting support, business consulting and professional services, cash courier or armored car services, commercial rent, CAM, construction and build-out, permanent fixtures, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, mechanical, engineering, surveying, planning, permitting, insurance, legal, CPA, tax, audit services, licenses, permits, inspections, payroll for employees, POS or cloud-based software subscriptions, repairs and maintenance, permanent security fixtures, security or alarm monitoring, exterior building signage, travel, uniforms, utilities, internet, waste removal, website hosting, domain and maintenance, employee training and other Commerce-approved costs. Pilot process requests may be considered for eligible due and payable invoices that support movement from lease execution to operations.

Generally ineligible expense types: Inventory, equipment or hardware purchases, owner compensation, taxes, deposits, prepayments, advertising, alcohol, lobbying, land or building purchase, unrelated office or warehouse space, vehicles and expenses not tied to the approved retail location or current milestone are generally ineligible.

Generally eligible expense types: Aroma retail services, banking fees, bookkeeping and accounting support, business consulting and professional services, cash courier or armored car services, commercial rent, CAM, insurance, legal, CPA, tax, audit services, payroll for employees, POS or cloud-based software subscriptions, repairs and maintenance, security or alarm monitoring, travel, uniforms, utilities, internet, waste removal, website hosting, domain and maintenance, employee training, compliance support, sustainability support, reporting, recordkeeping, grant closeout and other Commerce-approved costs.

Generally ineligible expense types: Pilot process funding is not available once the SEA is open or operating. Construction and build-out, architectural services, permanent fixtures, exterior signage, and licenses or permits may be limited or unavailable after opening unless tied to an approved eligible purpose. Inventory, equipment or hardware, owner compensation, taxes, deposits, prepayments, advertising, alcohol, lobbying, land or building purchase, unrelated office or warehouse space, vehicles and costs not tied to compliant operations are generally ineligible.