(upbeat techno music) - I'm Starla Sampaco in the cross-cut KCTS nine newsroom.

After blocking people with criminal records from entering the legal marijuana industry, Washington officials are preparing to chill out a bit.

A new rule going into effect will make it easier for people with criminal records, including those convicted of selling the now legal drug to participate in the industry.

Under old rules, a felony conviction in the past decade could derail a license application, but with the new system, a serious felony conviction within the past 10 years will still trigger an in depth review.

But the rules no longer state that people with felonies will be denied licenses.

The changes are meant to ease barriers, especially for members of communities that were disproportionately targeted by the war on drugs.

That includes black and Latino people who were arrested for pot possession at higher rates than white people in Washington, despite reporting lower use of the drug.

I'm Starla Sampaco by nonprofit Northwest news every day on cross-cut dot com.

(upbeat techno music)