Equitable Opportunities Now
As a reminder, the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) is accepting applications for the Immediate Needs Grant Program from cannabis social equity businesses that have at least a provisional license from the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) until 11:59 PM TONIGHT (Thurs. 2/15).
In response to draft regulations 400 CMR 8.00, “Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund” issued by the Executive Office of Economic Development, Equitable Opportunities Now issued the following public comments.
Third-annual fundraising reception will honor contributions to Massachusetts’ historic cannabis equity policies at licensed cannabis equity business New Dia Fenway
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.
Yesterday, the Legislature passed, and Gov. Maura Healey signed, the closeout FY23 supplemental budget that 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.
“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.”
A Conference Committee has been negotiating the differences between the chambers’ bills for a week already, and could reach a compromise today — or in weeks. Once legislators reach a compromise, there’s no guarantee it will pass without objection from those opposed to other parts of the bill.
Entrepreneurs from communities harmed by the war on drugs can’t afford to wait any longer. Let your legislators know that further delays aren’t acceptable and urge them to pass the Cannabis Social Equity Fund fix ASAP.
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.
Communities harmed by the war on drugs can’t afford to wait any longer! Ask your legislator to pass the cannabis equity fund technical fix today!
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.