CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to employment in Seattle; adding a new Chapter 8.38 to the Seattle Municipal Code; and amending Sections 3.02.125 and 14.20.025 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, the Council finds that it is necessary and appropriate to regulate the emerging
cannabis industry within the City to improve workforce training and development, provide employee protections, and remedy the damage caused by
cannabis prohibition and the failed War on Drugs to communities of color and marginalized communities; and
WHEREAS, the Council intends to address equity and workforce development within the
cannabis industry by passing a package of ordinances; and
WHEREAS, jobs in the
cannabis industry pose unusual risks to workers in both retail and processing due to the prevalence of cash-based transactions, use of volatile chemicals in manufacturing, and contagion exposure, and which involves a product that is highly regulated in Washington and remains illegal under federal law; and
WHEREAS, the Council encourages every
cannabis business to insure that ten percent of all hours worked by employees are performed by employees who have an arrest or conviction for the possession, use, manufacture, or cultivation of
cannabis that occurred prior to January 1, 2014 or has otherwise demonstrated impact from the failed War on Drugs (including having a parent, sibling, spouse, or child who has such conviction); and
WHEREAS, it is in the City's interest to retain
cannabis workers who are trained in safety and compliance; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A new Chapter 8.38 is added to the Seattle Municipal Code as follows:
Chapter 8.38
CANNABIS EMPLOYEE JOB RETENTION
8.38.010 Short title
This Chapter 8.38 shall constitute the "
Cannabis Employee Job Retention Ordinance" and may be cited as such.
8.38.020 Definitions
For purposes of this Chapter...
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