When we fight together, we win together — from decrim to medical to Question 4 and now to a historic new cannabis equity law that will reinvest tens of millions of dollars back to Black and Brown communities!
But as you know by now: the race toward justice is a marathon, not a sprint — and this victory is a milestone, not a finish line.
Thanks to years of advocacy, there are now an unprecedented number of opportunities for local community members to have a say in how we implement laws as well as getting them passed.
Please take a look at the opportunities below and consider applying or urging your friends, family, and colleagues to do so.
EON is compiling a *non-endorsed* “Binder Full of Cannabis Experts” that will offer appointing authorities like the Governor, Attorney General, & Treasurer a resource for a diverse range of experts on the cannabis industry and equity. If any of the opportunities below are of interest to you and you’d like to be included in our director of experts, please submit the following information by replying to this email:
- Full legal name
- Employer
- Job title
- Other affiliations, board/association memberships, etc.
- Relevant board seat(s)
- Brief explanation of relevant background and experience
- Cell phone
- Home address
- Attach CV/resume or include bio
Thanks again for being a part of this — onward to our next milestone!
In solidarity,
Shanel Lindsay
Co-Founder, Equitable Opportunities Now
Gov. Charlie Baker, AG Maura Healey, & Treasurer Deb Goldberg to appoint Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund Advisory Board
Thanks to years of advocacy and your partnership, the Mass. Legislature passed and Gov. Baker signed signed S.3096, “An Act relative to equity in the cannabis industry!”
One of the many great provisions of this new law creates a new Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund that will direct tens of thousands of dollars of cannabis revenue every year to communities of color with grants and loans that support Black and Brown entrepreneurs entering this industry.
We need your help to identify good candidates to recommend to this board, which consists of the following seats:
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1 person appointed by the governor with a background in the cannabis industry, who shall serve as chair;
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1 person appointed by the treasurer and receiver-general with a background in finance or commercial lending
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1 person appointed by the attorney general with a background in business development or entrepreneurship
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2 persons appointed by a majority vote of the governor, treasurer and receiver-general and attorney general, both of whom shall have experience in business development, preferably in the cannabis industry
While the law doesn’t specify an initial appointment deadline and the listings still aren’t on mass.gov, the law does require vacancies be filled within 60 days, which is coming up quickly on Oct. 10, so we could see action from the nominating authorities any time.
If you’re interested in applying for one of these seats, we encourage you to reach out directly to the appointing authorities’ constituent services office to inquire about applying and to submit the information above to shanel@masseon.com so we can add you to our director of experts for consideration in future opportunities.
Boston Cannabis Board appointments for which Mayor Wu is seeking applications
The Boston City Council amended its cannabis ordinance to add two seats to the Boston Cannabis Board:
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“One member with experience in urban planning or land use”
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“One member with experience in a leadership role within a neighborhood association in Boston”
Please note: While Boston residency is likely preferable it is our understanding that there is NOT a residency requirement for Boston Cannabis Board seats.
Mayor Wu is currently accepting applications for this role and it would be great to have experts with an understanding of cannabis and equity in these roles, so please consider applying or sharing this with anyone who might be interested!
You can apply using the City of Boston’s online form. Before applying, read the BCB’s enabling ordinance (PDF), BCB’s rules and regulations (PDF), and the Executive Order Relative to Employee Participation in Marijuana Businesses (PDF):
You can learn more about the BCB on their website and email any questions about the application and appointment process to boardsandcommissions@boston.gov. If you have questions about the cannabis licensing process in Boston, the BCB, or the cannabis equity program, reach out to Alia Hamada Forrest and Joe Gilmore at cannabisbiz@boston.gov.
Massachusetts Cannabis Advisory Board appointment for which Attorney General Maura Healey is seeking applications
Cannabis Advisory Board (Expert in social welfare or social justice)
The purpose of the Cannabis Advisory Board is to study and make recommendations to the Cannabis Control Commission on the regulation and taxation of marijuana and marijuana products in Massachusetts.
Specifically, the duties of the Cannabis Advisory Board are:
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to consider all matters submitted to it by the Cannabis Control Commission;
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on its own initiative, to recommend to the Commission guidelines, rules and regulations and any changes to guidelines, rules and regulations that the Advisory Board considers important or necessary for the Commission’s review and consideration, and
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to advise on the preparation of regulations pursuant to chapter 94G and chapter 94I. The term for this appointment is two (2) years. Appointees are eligible for reappointment.
Learn more about appointments by the Massachusetts Attorney General.
YOU’RE INVITED:
EON’s Celebration of Cannabis Equity Champions on 10/25 in Boston
