Cannabis Control Commission Launches Live Programming for Social Equity Program Participants with Orientation in Worcester

Next orientation to be held in Roxbury on August 11

WORCESTER—The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) on Thursday, July 24 officially launched the next iteration of live programming for the state’s Social Equity Program (SEP) with an orientation session at its Worcester headquarters.

The first-in-the-nation SEP was launched in 2018 in accordance with a state mandate that requires full participation in the regulated cannabis marketplace by communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition. Training for the program’s most recent participants is set to begin this fall.

Prospective SEP Participants attended a Commission Application Clinic and Information Session at Holyoke Community College in 2024. (Cannabis Control Commission photo)

“The continued, tremendous interest from people to participate in this program is testimony that its training, technical assistance, and community are very much needed to ensure equity in regulated cannabis,” said Commission Executive Director Travis Ahern. “Although the latest cohort has had access to existing materials and staff support since last year, we are very excited to be launching new, live instruction.”

Twenty-three individuals joined the Commission in person and online Thursday to learn about the SEP curriculum and upcoming programming, exclusive licensing opportunities, and funding opportunities through the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED)’s Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund.

Individuals who have already been accepted into the program but were unable to attend the first orientation session will have another opportunity to participate on August 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library. The next session is in person only and SEP participants must register here in order to attend.

As part of their training, SEP Participants have the option of completing coursework along several self-selected tracks (formerly known as Entrepreneur, Core, Entry, and Ancillary):

• Essential Learning and Business Development and Expansion Pathway: A growth track for individuals seeking licensure;
• Leadership and Executive Development Pathway: For those interested in cannabis careers at the managerial and executive level;
• Pathway to Employment: For those seeking entry level positions in marijuana establishments or are re-entering the workforce following incarceration;
• Integrated Business Solutions Pathway: For individuals who have skills or businesses that would support cannabis businesses; and
• Entrepreneur Track: designed for SEP participants seeking Marijuana Establishment (ME) licensure. The track prepares participants to apply for, own, and support an ME.

Tracks incorporate both universal courses that all applicants can use to navigate the legal industry, as well as instruction specific to license type. Participants are empowered to seek courses based on their preference to own, manage, work within, or alongside cannabis businesses. The Commission has already identified vendors to provide future training to participants, including GreenLight Business Solutions, Cami Flower, Signal Hill Group, and the Law Offices of Sean Coleman.

To date, 1,101 individuals have become certified as SEP participants based on specific criteria, with approximately 52% self-identifying as Black or African American and approximately 20% self-identifying as Hispanic or Latino. Enrollment in the program does not equate with or guarantee ME or Medical Marijuana Treatment Center licensure in Massachusetts; however, benefits include and are not limited to:

• Immediate access to expedited review by Commission licensing staff when a participant submits a license application;
• Certain fee reductions and waivers;
• Exclusive access to social consumption and delivery licenses for a limited period;
• Networking and mentorship opportunities with other prospective equity business owners, Registered Agents, and contractors;
• A pre-certification process that enables the Commission to confirm an entity’s propensity to open a business and assist with obtaining lease agreements, other local level approvals, and investment opportunities before they apply for a license; and
• Participants may be eligible for funding through EOED’s Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund.

The Commission will reopen the fifth application period for new participants to qualify for the SEP from August 1 through September 30. Eligible individuals can apply by creating an account through the Commission’s online Massachusetts Cannabis Industry Portal (MassCIP). Resources, including instructional video tutorials and rack cards, are available online. Learn more about getting started by visiting the Commission’s dedicated web section under MassCannabisControl.com/equity.

In May, the Commission also launched the EquityWorks Career Hub, a comprehensive digital platform for finding jobs, networking opportunities, and job training in the Massachusetts regulated cannabis industry.

Additional information is available on MassCannabisControl.com, or by contacting the Commission by phone (774-415-0200) or email (Commission@CCCMass.com), or following the agency on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.

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