Link to: Social Equity Program
Social Equity Program
Link to: EquityWorks Career Hub
EquityWorks Career Hub
Link to: Disadvantaged Business Enterprises
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises
Link to: Certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicants
Certified Economic Empowerment
Link to: Resources
Resources
Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to mandate full participation in the legal cannabis industry by communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. The Cannabis Control Commission is committed to fulfilling that promise by encouraging and enabling access to the legal marketplace and to positively impacting those communities. The agency’s efforts include the development of regulatory policies and procedures that aim to lower barriers to entry in addition to the Social Equity Program (SEP) and the Certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicant status.
Learn more about the War on Drugs and the Commission’s efforts to create sustainable pathways into the cannabis industry for the individuals most impacted.
Understanding Equality vs. Equity
Equality means providing everyone with the same resources; equity means providing targeted resources to individuals based on their specific needs.
While equality focuses on dividing resources equally, equity focuses on dividing resources proportionally to meet recipients’ needs in order to achieve a fair outcome.
Social Equity Program
The Social Equity Program (SEP) is a free, statewide technical assistance and training program that creates sustainable pathways into the cannabis industry for individuals most impacted by the War on Drugs including disproportionate arrest and incarceration as the result of marijuana prohibition.
Certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicant Status
Certified Economic Empowerment Priority status enables applicants who were able to demonstrate experience in – or business practices that promote – economic empowerment in disproportionately impacted communities to jump the Commission’s licensing queue when applying for an adult-use Marijuana Establishment license.
Economic Empowerment Priority Applicant (EEA) status was provided during a one-time certification period April 1, 2018 – April 15, 2018 in accordance with state law. The Commission is no longer accepting applications for licensees to become certified as EEAs.
Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund
The Legislature, not the Commission, has the authority to create laws and establish funds. Following the enactment of Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2022: An Act Relative to Equity in the Cannabis Industry, the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) established a Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund. This fund will distribute grants and loans, including no-interest loans, and forgivable loans, to only approved SEP Participants and approved EEAs.
The fund is administered by the EOED in consultation with the Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board. Members of the Advisory Board are appointed by the state Governor, Attorney General and Treasurer and consist of individuals with experience advocating on behalf of communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. EOED is responsible for the selection of recipients, grant or loan values, and conditions for such grants or loans. If you wish to learn more information about the Social Equity Trust Fund please visit Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board | Mass.gov for the latest details.
For More Information
For questions regarding the Commission’s Equity Programs, email Equity@CCCMass.com or call (774) 415-0200.
Get Involved
If you are interested in providing benefits or services to SEP Participants, EEAs, or other groups for whom the Commission is charged with ensuring meaningful participation, please complete the agency’s Equity Involvement form.
Join Our Social Equity Mailing List Today
Stay up-to-date on all of the latest information and important dates and deadlines.
Attend a Public
Meeting
The Cannabis Control Commission conducts
meetings and other events to keep you informed.
Subscribe to Our
Notice List
Sign up for updates from the
Cannabis Control Commission.
Attend a Public
Meeting
The Cannabis Control Commission conducts meetings and other events to keep you informed.
Subscribe to Our
Notice List
Sign up for updates from the Cannabis Control Commission.
