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Cannabis Control Commission Municipal Licensing Equity Policy

EON Launches New Municipal Cannabis Equity Licensing Resource

Is your city or town going to be compliant with new equitable cannabis licensing requirements by the May 1, 2024 deadline?

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Cannabis Control Commission Municipal Licensing Equity Policy What's Happening

Equitable Opportunities Now Public Comments Regarding the CCC’s Model HCA

Equitable Opportunities Now submitted the comments below with these suggested red-lined edits to the Cannabis Control Commission in response to a call for public comments to their proposed draft Model […]

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund Policy What's Happening

Public comments to EOED regarding 400 CMR 8.00, “Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund”

In response to draft regulations 400 CMR 8.00, “Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund” issued by the Executive Office of Economic Development, Equitable Opportunities Now issued the following public comments.

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Event What's Happening

Recognizing excellence in cannabis journalism: Chris Faraone, Talking Joints Memo

We have been fortunate in Massachusetts to have a strong cannabis news media landscape — from mainstream publications to alt weeklies to blogs — but few, if any, have been covering grass in Mass. as long as Chris Faraone.

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Cannabis Control Commission Municipal Licensing Equity Policy Press Press Releases & Media Advisories What's Happening

EON Letter to CCC Regarding Model HCA, Model Municipal Equity Ordinance, & Municipal Compliance

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…

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Cannabis Control Commission Policy Press Press Releases & Media Advisories What's Happening

BECMA, EON urge CCC to Repeal Burdensome Regulations Targeting Equity Businesses

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…

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund Policy State Legislation What's Happening

Passage of FY23 closeout supplemental budget advances Cannabis Social Equity Fund

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.

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Press Press Releases & Media Advisories

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.”

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

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.”

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Cannabis Social Equity Fund News Coverage Policy Press State Legislation

Recap + Guest Opinion: Please Advance The Social Equity Trust Fund Fix | Talking Joints Memo

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.