“It is deeply troubling that none of the legislators of color in either chamber who championed these issues will be at the table to decide how accessible this new industry will be to local entrepreneurs of color and from communities most harmed by the war on drugs,” said Equitable Opportunities Now Co-Founder and Question 4 Co-Author Shanel Lindsay. “Now, the spotlight is on Senate President Karen Spilka, House Speaker Ron Mariano and conferees to deliver a bill that reflects their stated commitment to equity.”
The House increased its proposed cannabis equity funding from 15 percent to 20 percent, thanks to Rep. Tyler’s advocacy and the support of leadership. Unfortunately, the Senate bill only allocated 10 percent.
Now is the time to let your state representatives and senators know that you hope they will encourage the Conference Committee to fully fund equity with 20 percent of cannabis revenue in the final bill.
Under the state’s current social equity program, only 23 of the state’s 253 licensed cannabis businesses are owned by entrepreneurs qualified for the economic empowerment and social equity programs administered by the Cannabis Control Commission. Shanel Lindsay, the co-founder of the advocacy group Equitable Opportunities Now, praised lawmakers in the House for the change and urged senators to retain the higher percentage in a compromise version of the bill.
We need your support in contacting YOUR Massachusetts State House Representative to ask them to support the Cannabis Omnibus Bill, including Amendment 1 to H4791 that increases the % allocated to the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund from the current proposed 15% to 20%.
This wasn’t always Kee’s plan. She says that she was selling weed on the black market until Boston attorney and activist Shanel Lindsay, who serves on the Massachusetts Cannabis Advisory Board, approached her and encouraged her to go legal. Eventually, she enrolled in the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission’s Social Equity Program, where she attended workshops, classes, and trainings on cannabis entrepreneurship in Massachusetts.
Please join us Thursday (4/28) at 12 p.m. for EON’s virtual Rally for Cannabis Equity!
Come hear and amplify the stories of the entrepreneurs who will be most impacted by social equity cannabis reforms and hear from our partners in government Sen. Sonia Chang Diaz, Rep. Chynah Tyler, and Cannabis Control Commissioner Nurys Camargo.
“We are excited and thankful to the Senate for pushing this bill forward, but disappointed by the low allocation to the equity fund,” said Shanel Lindsay
Good morning community, urgent action is needed this week! Please take a moment today to contact Massachusetts local Senators asking them to VOTE YES on Senate Bill 2801 this week. It should not take more than 5-10 minutes of your time. INPUT YOUR ADDRESS & FIND YOUR LOCAL SENATOR HERE Join us in advocating for […]
It was so great to see so many folks at the EON Career & Opportunities Session this weekend at NECANN. We look forward to staying connected and creating pathways to positive impact, equitable ownership and meaningful employment in the cannabis industry. Here are some links for follow up:
Today is a great day to send your input to the Cannabis Control Commission regarding updates to the designated areas of disproportionate impact. OUR COMMUNITY INPUT IS CRUCIAL FOR OUR COMMUNITY’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE INDUSTRY. See Sample Public Comment HEREFor guidance on how to submit your public comment regarding this matter, please visit our website […]