Seattle passes new laws aimed at reproductive justice and equity in the Cannabis industry

The Seattle City Council has passed a bill that bans pregnancy crisis centers from making misleading advertisements. The law is aimed at facilities that don't provide reproductive or abortion services, but often try to dissuade people from terminating their pregnancies.

The Council also approved a set of policies meant to promote greater equity in the city's cannabis industry. The new laws drop certain business fees, for instance, that have disproportionately impacted Black and brown entrepreneurs. The new laws also allow the expungement of past convictions for cannabis possession, and allow people who have been convicted of drug-related crimes to get into the cannabis business.

Councilmembers also signed off on a resolution to phase out the city's use of gas-powered leaf blowers by 2025, and for them to be phased out completely for residents by the year 2027.