Equitable Opportunities Now
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…
EON is honored to recognize Cannabis Control Commission Acting Chair Ava Callender Concepcion, and other government and community leaders, for their contributions to equitable opportunity at our Celebration of Cannabis Equity Champions next Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. at New Dia Cannabis Co.’s Fenway location.
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…
EON is proud to count Mayor Wu’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, and City of Boston Cannabis Business Manager Shekia Scott, as allies and leaders working to create equitable economic opportunity.
Please join us to honor City of Boston Cannabis Business Manager Shekia Scott and other government and community leaders at our Celebration of Cannabis Equity Champions!
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.
Because you showed up and spoke out at our community regulatory review listening session, Cannabis Control Commissioners and staff showed up and listened. And they passed regulations that they — and you — should be proud of.
Now, it’s time to celebrate how far we’ve come! Please join me at EON’s Celebration of Equity Champions hosted by New Dia in Boston on Tuesday, December 19 at 6 PM.
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!