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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 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 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…

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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

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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.

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

Statement from EON Policy Co-Chair Armani White regarding CCC vote to remove social consumption pilot from regs

The Cannabis Control Commission voted today to remove the existing but not operational social consumption pilot program from Massachusetts regulations during its second public meeting on the topic. Economic Empowerment […]

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

Social Consumption Pilot Program Public Comments

After more than five years and a significant new cannabis law addressing social consumption, now is the time to move forward with a comprehensive, equitable, safe, and healthy onsite consumption licensing and regulatory framework.

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund Policy Press Press Releases & Media Advisories

Statement from Equitable Opportunities Now! Co-Founder Shanel Lindsay regarding Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board appointments

“Black and Brown entrepreneurs have waited far too long for an opportunity to participate in this new industry after years of criminalization have decimated their communities. We look forward to partnering with these impressive new Advisory Board members, Gov. Healey, Secretary Hao, and the Administration to ensure this new grant and loan fund program is created and administered equitably.”

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

Community leaders, advocates praise historic equity provisions in new cannabis law signed by Gov. Baker

“Massachusetts made history with a nation-leading economic empowerment law when they legalized cannabis with Question 4, and nearly six years later, Gov. Baker and the Massachusetts Legislature have made history with this vital — and overdue — grant and loan fund,” said Equitable Opportunities Now Co-Founder and Question 4 Co-Author Shanel Lindsay.