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.

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.
It is so important to lift up success stories and celebrate the business leaders pioneering a way in this industry — and EON could not be prouder to celebrate our friend Nike John, the founder and CEO of The Heritage Club and The Boston Heritage Fund at our Celebration of Cannabis Equity Champions on Tuesday!
EOED 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.
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!
“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.”
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.
Equitable 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.