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Cannabis Control Commission Cannabis Social Equity Fund Event Policy Press Press Releases & Media Advisories State Legislation

Acting Chair Concepcion, Asst. Secretary Vega and other leaders to speak at Celebration of Equity Champions

Third-annual fundraising reception will honor contributions to Massachusetts’ historic cannabis equity policies at licensed cannabis equity business New Dia Fenway

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund Event Policy Press Press Releases & Media Advisories What's Happening

Special Guest: EOED Asst. Secretary Juan Vega to share Cannabis Social Equity Fund update at Celebration of Equity Champions

EOED Assistant Secretary for Communities and Programs Juan Vega will share general information about the agency’s plans for the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund and share the EOED’s progress in implementing the changes included in the FY23 supplemental budget (that you helped to pass!) in coordination with the Legislature, Executive Office of Administration & Finance, Comptroller’s Office, and other government partners.

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Cannabis Control Commission Municipal Licensing Equity Policy Press Press Releases & Media Advisories What's Happening

EON Letter to CCC Regarding Model HCA, Model Municipal Equity Ordinance, & Municipal Compliance

Following the Cannabis Control Commission’s Dec. 14, 2023 meeting, during which Commissioners and staff discussed progress in implementing HCA and municipal equity regulations promulgated pursuant to Ch. 180 of the Acts of 2022, Equitable Opportunities Now submitted the following public comment…

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Cannabis Control Commission Policy Press Press Releases & Media Advisories What's Happening

BECMA, EON urge CCC to Repeal Burdensome Regulations Targeting Equity Businesses

The initial framework for Marijuana Delivery Operators and Marijuana Couriers has failed to create meaningful economic opportunities for the communities intended to benefit from it due to overly burdensome regulations that emphasize an overly cautious and costly approach that exceeds the standards set by any other state in the country.

On behalf of Equitable Opportunities Now, the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, and our members and supporters across the Commonwealth, we urge the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) to make the following regulatory changes at the earliest possible opportunity to unlock the potential of these important license types…

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Cannabis equity advocates celebrate progress for grant & loan program in FY23 supplemental budget

“The law passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Maura Healey today will unlock millions of dollars in grants and loans to cannabis equity businesses. This is an important step toward creating economic opportunity for communities harmed by the war on drugs, as envisioned by voters when they passed Question 4.

“We appreciate all the work that Gov. Healey’s Administration has done in preparation for the launch of the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund and hope they will work quickly to roll out a simple, transparent, user-friendly application process as soon as possible.”

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund Policy Press Press Releases & Media Advisories State Legislation

Advocates applaud progress on cannabis equity fund in supplemental budget, urge quick passage

“Language in this bill will unlock millions of dollars to be reinvested back into communities that have been torn apart by over-policing and the war on drugs — and it couldn’t come a minute too soon. The loans and grants this program will provide can help save businesses and jobs before the holidays, but only if all legislators put the needs of the Commonwealth’s residents first by quickly passing this bill in an informal session.”

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund News Coverage Policy Press State Legislation

Recap + Guest Opinion: Please Advance The Social Equity Trust Fund Fix | Talking Joints Memo

The group Equitable Opportunities Now, which “educates and empowers people of color to become active participants in the Massachusetts legal cannabis market,” is on top of the situation, and has sent two letters to Beacon Hill lawmakers this month outlining the situation as well as the stakes.

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund Policy Press Press Releases & Media Advisories State Legislation

Advocates urge legislators to advance cannabis equity fund with technical fix and new investment in supplemental budget

Equitable Opportunities Now, a nonprofit that has fought for equitable cannabis policies since the passage of Question 4 — including Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2022, which created the new fund last year — is asking legislators to make an immediate one-time $50 million investment in the fund before the end of the year in addition to passing Gov. Healey’s proposed long-term fix.

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Cannabis Control Commission Municipal Licensing Equity News Coverage Policy Press

Cannabis Control Commission votes to put new restrictions on payments to municipalities | Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Members of Equitable Opportunities Now, an organization that supports people of color becoming active in the cannabis industry, praised the commission for its focus in reviewing and passing the regulations despite facing massive challenges…

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Cannabis Control Commission Municipal Licensing Equity News Coverage Policy Press

Lawsuit, Scandals, And Audit Aside, Massachusetts Regulators Approve Major Changes | The Bluntness

Even with all of the rigmarole surrounding regulators at the moment, some advocates and watchdogs went out of their way to praise the body this past week. The group Equitable Opportunities Now, which “educates and empowers people of color to become active participants in the Massachusetts legal cannabis market,” said the new “HCA and municipal equity rules will create new opportunities for communities harmed by the war on drugs.”