Thanks for your interest in EON’s recent media releases, advisories, and statements. Please direct media inquiries to Equitable Opportunities Now Co-Founder Shanel Lindsay.
- EON applauds CCC for Model HCA public comment period, advancing key deliverables, & increasing transparency on Ch. 180 implementation processEON applauds Acting Chair Ava Concepcion, her fellow Commissioners, Director of Licensing Kyle Potvin, Esq., and the CCC staff for providing a two-week public comment period for the Model HCA that elicited 19-20 public comments that generated approximately 90 potential changes — and for advancing these key deliverables.
- Acting Chair Concepcion, Asst. Secretary Vega and other leaders to speak at Celebration of Equity ChampionsThird-annual fundraising reception will honor contributions to Massachusetts’ historic cannabis equity policies at licensed cannabis equity business New Dia Fenway
- Special Guest: EOED Asst. Secretary Juan Vega to share Cannabis Social Equity Fund update at Celebration of Equity ChampionsEOED 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.
- EON Letter to CCC Regarding Model HCA, Model Municipal Equity Ordinance, & Municipal ComplianceFollowing 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…
- BECMA, EON urge CCC to Repeal Burdensome Regulations Targeting Equity BusinessesThe 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…
- Cannabis equity advocates celebrate progress for grant & loan program in FY23 supplemental budget“The law passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Maura Healey today 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. “We appreciate all the work that Gov. Healey’s Administration has done in preparation for the launch of the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund and hope they will work quickly to roll out a simple, transparent, user-friendly application process as soon as possible.”
- Advocates applaud progress on cannabis equity fund in supplemental budget, urge quick passage“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.”
- Advocates urge legislators to advance cannabis equity fund with technical fix and new investment in supplemental budgetEquitable 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.
- Equitable Opportunities Now Applauds New Cannabis Equity RegulationsNew HCA and municipal equity rules will create new opportunities for communities harmed by the war on drugs…
- Equitable Opportunities Now urges Cannabis Control Commission to take bold action to support disadvantaged businessesAdvocates call for expanded local and state equitable licensing ratios & removal of medical dispensary prioritization
- Advisory: EON to host Virtual CCC Regulatory Review Listening Session on Thurs. 7/6 at 1 p.m.All five Cannabis Control Commissioners, along with staff, are anticipated to listen to the community’s feedback and speakers will include leaders from EON and other advocacy organizations, Sen. Liz Miranda, Boston Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion Cannabis Business Manager Shekia Scott, and about a dozen entrepreneurs from communities harmed by the war on drugs.
- Statement from EON Policy Co-Chair Armani White regarding CCC vote to remove social consumption pilot from regsThe Cannabis Control Commission voted today to remove the existing but not operational social consumption pilot program from Massachusetts regulations during its second public meeting on the topic. Economic Empowerment applicants and Social Equity Program participants are expected to have an exclusivity period for social consumption licenses. The current pilot limits licensing to 12 municipalities… Read more: Statement from EON Policy Co-Chair Armani White regarding CCC vote to remove social consumption pilot from regs
- Social Consumption Pilot Program Public CommentsAfter more than five years and a significant new cannabis law addressing social consumption, now is the time to move forward with a comprehensive, equitable, safe, and healthy onsite consumption licensing and regulatory framework.
- Statement from Equitable Opportunities Now! Co-Founder Shanel Lindsay regarding Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board appointments“Black and Brown entrepreneurs have waited far too long for an opportunity to participate in this new industry after years of criminalization have decimated their communities. We look forward to partnering with these impressive new Advisory Board members, Gov. Healey, Secretary Hao, and the Administration to ensure this new grant and loan fund program is created and administered equitably.”
- Community leaders, advocates praise historic equity provisions in new cannabis law signed by Gov. Baker“Massachusetts made history with a nation-leading economic empowerment law when they legalized cannabis with Question 4, and nearly six years later, Gov. Baker and the Massachusetts Legislature have made history with this vital — and overdue — grant and loan fund,” said Equitable Opportunities Now Co-Founder and Question 4 Co-Author Shanel Lindsay.
- Equitable Opportunities Now, The Boston Foundation and other advocates praise compromise cannabis equity bill“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
- 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.
- 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.”
- 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.”