Categories
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

Categories
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.

Categories
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…

Categories
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…

Categories
Press Press Releases & Media Advisories

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.”

Categories
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.”

Categories
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.

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

Equitable Opportunities Now Applauds New Cannabis Equity Regulations

New HCA and municipal equity rules will create new opportunities for communities harmed by the war on drugs…

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

Equitable Opportunities Now urges Cannabis Control Commission to take bold action to support disadvantaged businesses

Advocates call for expanded local and state equitable licensing ratios & removal of medical dispensary prioritization

Categories
Cannabis Control Commission Event Municipal Licensing Equity Policy Press Press Releases & Media Advisories

Advisory: EON to host Virtual CCC Regulatory Review Listening Session on Thurs. 7/6 at 1 p.m.

All five Cannabis Control Commissioners, along with staff, are anticipated to listen to the community’s feedback and speakers will include leaders from EON and other advocacy organizations, Sen. Liz Miranda, Boston Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion Cannabis Business Manager Shekia Scott, and about a dozen entrepreneurs from communities harmed by the war on drugs.