Massachusetts currently operates Economic Empowerment and Social Equity programs that offer historically disadvantaged groups preference in launching cannabis businesses in the state, according to the news outlet. Cannabis Cigars Poised for Growth under Massachusetts Social Equity Program June 4, 2019 By Lynn Shapiro 2 Comments For decades, 44-year old Ruddy Santana , a Black, Dominican- American founder of cannabis start-up, Holyoke Leaf Inc., in Holyoke, MA, was too ashamed to speak of the discrimination he endured that crushed his plans for a career . Exciting news! Having opened its doors at the height of the pandemic, the Athol, Massachusetts, location is a testament and model for how social equity programs could help provide opportunities in the nation's fastest-growing industry. Establishment of the program was directed by the Legislature in 2017 to ensure individuals who were incarcerated during the War on Drugs . social equity story We are passionate advocates of the Massachusetts Social Equity Program. In preparation for the launch of the second cohort of Massachusetts' Social Equity Program, the Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) will continue accepting applications from interested individuals until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2020. Prior to her position as a regulator, Title co-founded THC Staffing Group , a recruiting firm that focuses on equality and inclusion in the cannabis industry. This interview has been edited for length and . Program Manager, Center for Equity and Cultural Wealth Bunker Hill CC Boston, MA 3 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants Having opened its doors at the height of the pandemic, the Athol, Massachusetts, location is a testament and model for how social equity programs could help provide opportunities in the nation's . and Massachusetts Residency Massachusetts Residency Licensing Intent Applicant Information Application SEA303500 Program Track Program Track Marijuana Establishments Submit The Social Equity Program is designed for accepted applicants to be entered into tracks. The program focuses on those most impacted by the War on Drugs, marijuana prohibition, disproportionate arrests and incarceration, and provides education and entry across four areas: entrepreneurship, entry, and managerial-level workforce development . Additionally, cannabis business owners are overwhelmingly white and male while the workforce is largely composed of women and people of color. For example, Social Consumption Establishment licenses, as well as licenses for delivery and courier services, are only being awarded to participants in the social equity program for . Oklahoma Cannabis Market Scott Fegatter, a […] The Social Equity application will be digital and accessible through the Commission's website. Social equity programs have been established in recreational cannabis markets like California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Michigan aim to benefit those who have been disproportionately harmed by the enforcement of cannabis prohibitions. — Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (@MA_Cannabis) December 10, 2021. Social equity programs in states like Illinois and California were developed to address some of these inequities, like lack of access to capital, exorbitant licensing fees, and to facilitate expungements for low-level cannabis offenders. The six Massachusetts social equity vendors will now develop their own programs to help social equity applicants complete the licensing process and open a business. Massachusetts has several social equity programs designed to promote equity among minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. (3) Participants in Social Equity Program; (4) Massachusetts residents with past drug convictions; and (5) Massachusetts residents with parents or spouses with drug convictions. • Applicant residency in Massachusetts for at least the preceding 12 months and proof that the individual was either married to or the child of an individual convicted or continuance While it does offer free training, an expedited license review . See if you qualify! have begun to embrace social equity licensing programs, James said the processes are "criminal." For a start, the bar to entry is high, with business application fees beginning at $5,000 and licensing fees ranging to a high of $30,000. Fresh opportunities are waving to aspiring cannabusinesses who wish to take advantage of social equity programs in the state of Massachusetts. Requirements by the Cannabis Control Commission for Social Equity Program . For Colorado and Massachusetts, Social Equity has been a subject of contention. Focusing on individuals that have been most adversely impacted by the criminal prohibition of marijuana, Massachusetts' Social Equity Program for example, provides technical assistance and skill-based training for . The Massachusetts Cannabis Association for Delivery (MCAD) serves to be a unifying voice for cannabis delivery companies in the Commonwealth The state remains focused on regulating the fairly new cannabis industry, however, officials believe that . MRCC has successfully lobbied for policies including the Massachusetts Social Equity Program, the Cambridge Equity Ordinance, Wholesale Delivery + Social Consumption licenses, municipal zoning . Massachusetts is taking baby steps towards social equity and everyone across the country knows it. In this case, only "equity" businesses — typically owned by Black or […] What it's like to be in a state social equity program Now that Kushkart has its foot in the door, Taylor is happy to pull back the curtain on what it's like to be in Massachusetts' social . The Social Equity Program (SEP) creates sustainable pathways into the cannabis industry for individuals most impacted by the War on Drugs, marijuana prohibition, disproportionate arrest, and incarceration. Shaleen Title is the policy reform activist in charge of Massachusetts' social equity program. Washington, DC. The pathway that Massachusetts regulators developed for minority cannabis business owners allows them to own delivery businesses and protects those licenses for the time being, one of the only programs in the country to have a designated delivery license only for social equity. The nation's first free, statewide […] These plans shall be designed to promote equity among minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals in the . Massive Social Equity Opportunities In Massachusetts Part 1 Of 8. According to the CCC, social equity and economic empowerment applicants make up just 8 percent of all applications approved by the CCC in the last five years. Just nine have opened for business. While it . Bill s.2650 simply takes 10% of cannabis tax revenue and puts it towards a social equity fund with a social equity loan for social equity and economic empowerment licenses. The program, available to people from areas disproportionately harmed by the U.S. war on drugs, offers . Massachusetts is the only state with diversity and social equity program baked into its legislation. More recent states to enact adult-use marijuana legislation, such as Massachusetts, have included social equity provisions. Specifically, SD.2072 would establish a "Cannabis Social Equity Loan Trust Fund" that would make "no-interest loans, forgivable loans, or grants" for equity program participants in . The opportunity to run social equity programs for City Farm, which hopes to open this summer, makes the Boston partnership worth it for Sieh. But the Samuras still want to own their own shops, and . Equity and social justice are consistent themes in our public health work. What kinds of programs would most effectively promote equity in the industry? When the legislature refined the citizen-authored bill, equity provisions were made even stronger, with specific mandates related to farmers, veterans and women- and minority-owned businesses, says Title. Today, the free Massachusetts Social Equity Program provides industry-specific training to those most impacted by the War on Drugs. To support scientific research on PTSD, chronic pain, sleep, and other cannabis-related scientific and medical studies through partner organizations. The state of Massachusetts' social equity program At the start of the new industry, Massachusetts rolled out a social equity program with the goal of "encouraging and enabling full participation in the marijuana industry by people from communities that have previously been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement . Devin Alexander, CEO of Rolling Releaf, and Vice President of The Massachusetts Cannabis Association for Delivery, Massachusetts Social Equity Program Graduate Cindy De La Vega , CEO of STIIIZY . Qualified applicants may receive assistance with their business plan creation, help with accounting, employee training, and other support . On December 7, the Connecticut Social Equity Council approved income and residency documentation requirements for social equity applicants and cannabis businesses seeking to operate as Equity Joint Ventures. With only $50,000 in startup capital, a fraction of […] According to the CCC, social equity and economic empowerment applicants make up just 8 percent of all applications approved by the CCC in the last five years. To learn more about Massachusetts' social equity program and Title's role in it, MERRY JANE caught up with the commissioner by email to learn more. Shaleen Title, an attorney who specializes in cannabis regulations and a long-time advocate of legalization, holds one of five seats on the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission . This month our focus is on Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Oklahoma. State response to inequities in drug policy has been widely varied. While it . The approval is contingent upon the Council's acceptance of an implementation plan for the accelerator and technical assistance programs, which will provide important . According to the CCC, social equity and economic empowerment applicants make up just 8 percent of all applications approved by the CCC in the last five years. The free, statewide technical assistance and training program provides Participants with education, skill-based . Massachusetts' progress is the latest development in a national movement for cannabis justice in a post-legalization world. who qualify for the state's program but don't want to own a business can instead get training for management or "Social equity programs can provide a range of business benefits including funding, technical and legal assistance, business incubation, and other services," Title's paper states . — Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (@MA_Cannabis) December 10, 2021. Action is also being taken at the local level. Massachusetts Social Equity in Cannabis Industry Massachusetts Cannabis Businesses. Social Equity Program. The latest Tweets from themasscad (@themasscad). Massachusetts Social Equity Program; A Model For Other States. social equity story We are passionate advocates of the Massachusetts Social Equity Program. The state's social equity program is intended to help people who've been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs work in the new legal marijuana industry. On the thick of building a business around this incredible opportunity is Flavia Hungaro, owner of a new company called Locomotion Cannabis. Hillary King, director of wholesale at Northeast Alternatives, said the social equity program was "underfunded," and said the commission had to do more to promote social justice. State response to inequities in drug policy has been widely varied. However, there have been varying levels of success. In Massachusetts, Shaleen Title, member of the state Cannabis Control Commission, is leading the effort to ensure social justice in the state's legal marijuana program. "We are going to forge strong relationships with our partners, quickly make an impact within the Massachusetts Social Equity Program and speed up construction so we can become an integral part . Applicants are eligible for the Social Equity Program if they demonstrate they meet at least one of the following criteria (please see attached documents that explain the 400% Median Income . Today, Elev8 Cannabis celebrates its first anniversary, among many other milestones and achievements. Prior to her position as a regulator, Title co-founded THC Staffing Group , a recruiting firm that focuses on equality and inclusion in the cannabis industry. The program focuses on those most impacted by the War on Drugs, marijuana prohibition, disproportionate arrests and incarceration, and provides education and entry across four areas: entrepreneurship, entry, and managerial-level workforce development . "In California, the Bureau of Cannabis Control awarded $10 million in . 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