Category: State Legislation

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund News Coverage Policy Press State Legislation

Some advice for crafting final cannabis reform bill | CommonWealth Magazine

Beacon Hill Golden Dome via CommonWealth Magazine

AFTER YEARS OF ADVOCACY by community members, entrepreneurs, Cannabis Control Commissioners, and lawmakers, the Legislature is finally on the verge of passing comprehensive cannabis reform legislation that will help deliver on Question 4’s promise to support equitable opportunity in this new market.

Both chambers’ bills take major steps toward improving equitable market participation through access to capital, incentives for equity in local licensing, and reforming our broken host community agreement system. Now, the devil is in the details.

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund Career & Opportunity Session Event Policy State Legislation What's Happening

Cannabis equity call to action & career fair opportunity

Gov. Baker on The Boston Globe RE cannabis equity

Today’s Boston Globe article highlights the urgent need for action amongst our elected officials with a deadline just 6 days away.

Read the article below and make your calls this week- step by step guide included.

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

Gov. Charlie Baker calls cannabis equity bill “important,” says “I certainly hope it gets to my desk”

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.

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund Policy State Legislation What's Happening

Time is running out to ensure cannabis equity is fully funded!

Beacon Hill Massachusetts State House Golden Dome

While the House funded the cannabis equity grant and loan fund with 20% of excess cannabis revenue, the Senate only included 10% in their bill – putting tens of millions of dollars that could support Black and brown entrepreneurs at risk!

We need your help now to make sure this vital program is fully funded by emailing and calling your state senator and representative before it’s too late!

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

Former Cannabis Control Chair Hoffman & Former Commissioner Title Urge Legislators to Fully Fund Cannabis Equity Grant & Loan Fund

“..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.”

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund Policy State Legislation What's Happening

URGENT: Ask your Local House Rep to Support Cannabis Equity

Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka, & Gov. Baker

An all-white Conference Committee will negotiate key differences between House and Senate cannabis reform bills, including whether the social equity trust fund should receive the full 20% of cannabis revenues envisioned by the law and included in the House, or just the 10% allocated by the Senate.

Please take a moment right now to urge your state legislators to ask the Conference Committee to strengthen the equity provisions of the final omnibus cannabis reform bill! Here’s how to take action:

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund Municipal Licensing Equity Policy Press Press Releases & Media Advisories State Legislation

More than 20 community leaders call on legislative leaders, Conference Committee to fully fund cannabis equity program and pass reform bill before end of session

“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.”

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund News Coverage Policy Press State Legislation

With cannabis revenue set to be assigned to communities of color, ‘how much?’ is key | Dorchester Reporter

Dorchester Reporter logo

The House increased its proposed cannabis equity funding from 15 percent to 20 percent, thanks to Rep. Tyler’s advocacy and the support of leadership. Unfortunately, the Senate bill only allocated 10 percent.
Now is the time to let your state representatives and senators know that you hope they will encourage the Conference Committee to fully fund equity with 20 percent of cannabis revenue in the final bill.

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Cannabis Control Commission Cannabis Social Equity Fund Municipal Licensing Equity News Coverage Policy Press State Legislation

Massachusetts House Approves Bill To Amend Cannabis Laws | High Times

Cannabis bud from High Times

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.

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund Municipal Licensing Equity Policy State Legislation What's Happening

URGENT: Ask your Local House Rep to Support Cannabis Equity

EON Flyer: Contact your rep!

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%.