“Massachusetts made history with a nation-leading economic empowerment law when they legalized cannabis with Question 4, and nearly six years later, Legislators today made history with this vital — and overdue — grant and loan fund,” said Equitable Opportunities Now Co-Founder and Question 4 Co-Author Shanel Lindsay
Category: Municipal Licensing Equity
Calling the bill “important” and repeatedly expressing his desire to have a bill on his desk before the end of session, the Governor referred to cannabis equity and local licensing reform as among the “key priorities” in the bill.
“..although Massachusetts led the nation by being the first state to require cannabis regulators like us to create economic empowerment pathways for communities most harmed by the war on drugs, we lag behind other states that have created, among other solutions, funds for small businesses to access capital. A final bill to create a fund for Massachusetts with 20% of excess tax revenue will help to level the playing field for our residents.”
“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.”
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%.
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. […]
“If Massachusetts wants to ensure that it protects consumers from predatory business practices, fosters a competitive environment for small businesses, and roots out corruption, then it has to be more proactive in passing regulatory measures that allow the market to grow responsibly.” -The Editorial Board, Boston Globe