Applicants & Licensees / Equity Programs
Equity Programs
The Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) is committed to encouraging and enabling full participation in the marijuana industry by people from communities that have previously been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement, and to positively impact those communities. These efforts include the development of policies and procedures in addition to the Social Equity Program (SEP) and the Certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicant status.
Eligibility
Applicants are eligible for the SEP if they demonstrate they meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Income that does not exceed 400% of Area Median Income and Residency in an Area of Disproportionate Impact, as defined by the Commission, for at least five of the past ten years;
- Residency in Massachusetts for at least the past 12 months and a conviction or continuance without a finding for an offense under M.G.L. c. 94C or an equivalent conviction in Other Jurisdictions;
- Residency in Massachusetts for at least the past 12 months and proof that the SEP applicant was either married to or the child of an individual convicted or continuance without a finding for a M.G.L. c. 94C offense or an equivalent conviction in Other Jurisdictions;
- Any individual listed as an owner on the original certification of an Economic Empowerment Priority Applicant who satisfies one or more the following criteria:
- Lived for five of the preceding ten years in an Area of Disproportionate Impact, as determined by the Commission;
- Experience in one or more previous positions where the primary population served were disproportionately impacted, or where primary responsibilities included economic education, resource provision or empowerment to disproportionately impacted individuals or communities;
- Black, African American, Hispanic or Latino descent; or
- Other significant articulable demonstration of past experience in or business practices that promote economic empowerment in Areas of Disproportionate Impact.
Tracks
There are four SEP training tracks: Entrepreneur, Core, Entry, and Ancillary. Each track is designed to address an applicant’s specific interest in the cannabis industry, current skill set, and/or desired outcomes.
The Entrepreneur Track is designed for SEP Participants seeking Marijuana Establishment (ME) licensure. The track prepares participants to apply for, own, and support an establishment.
Courses include, but are not limited, to:
- The application and licensure process;
- Business plan development and raising capital;
- Operational compliance and post-licensure operations; and
- The municipal process and Host Community Agreements.
The Core Track is designed for SEP Participants who seek managerial and executive-level careers in a ME. The track exposes participants to best practices for cannabis businesses and provides hands-on training and education to obtain management and other positions.
Courses include, but are not limited, to:
- Cultivation and product manufacturing;
- Laboratory testing and cannabis-specific retail; and
- Resume and interview preparation for cannabis careers.
The Entry Track is for SEP Participants who are interested in re-entering the workforce following incarceration, and/or individuals interested in entry-level careers within a ME with little or no experience. This track prepares participants to understand the cannabis plant, the regulated industry, restorative justice practices, re-entering the workforce, and entry-level job opportunities.
Courses include, but are not limited, to:
- Retail, cultivation, and product manufacturing;
- Testing and cannabis-specific education; and
- Resume and interview preparation for entry-level positions in the cannabis industry.
The Ancillary Track is designed for SEP participants who have skills or businesses that would support the cannabis industry but are not seeking licensure or employment within an ME. The program helps participants understand how their skill set or business can be applied to the cannabis industry, without requiring licensure from the Commission. Coursework also explores how to develop an ancillary business.
Courses include, but are not limited, to:
- Business plan creation and facility design;
- Accounting, taxes, and business compliance; and
- Branding, marketing, and advertising.
Areas of Disproportionate Impact
As part of the Commission’s mandate, every applicant applying for any ME license is required to submit a plan for how it will positively impact Areas of Disproportionate Impact. The Commission also requires applicants to outline a Diversity Plan that promotes equity among minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities and sexual orientation. Learn more about Required Diversity Plans.
The Commission has currently designated 30 communities in Massachusetts as “Areas of Disproportionate Impact.”
You can also search an address to determine if it is designated as an Area of Disproportionate Impact.
Certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicants
In accordance with state law, the Commission will provide priority licensing review to Certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicants who demonstrate at least three of the following six criteria:
- Majority of ownership belongs to people who have lived in Areas of Disproportionate Impact for five of the last 10 years.
- Majority of ownership has held one or more previous positions where the primary population served were disproportionately impacted, or where primary responsibilities included economic education, resource provision or empowerment to disproportionately impacted individuals or communities.
- At least 51% of current employees/subcontractors reside in Areas of Disproportionate Impact and will increase to 75% by first day of business.
- At least 51% of employees or subcontractors have drug-related CORI, but are otherwise legally employable in a cannabis-related enterprise.
- A majority of the ownership is made up of individuals from Black, African American, Hispanic, or Latino descent.
- Owners can demonstrate significant past experience in or business practices that promote economic empowerment in Areas of Disproportionate Impact.
For More Information
For questions regarding the Commission’s Equity Programs, email Equity@CCCMass.com.
If you are interested in providing benefits or services to SEP Participants, Certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicants, or other groups for whom the Commission is charged with ensuring meaningful participation, complete this Equity Involvement form.
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Meeting
The Cannabis Control Commission conducts meetings and other events to keep you informed.
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Sign up for updates from the Cannabis Control Commission.
Social Equity Program
The Social Equity Program (SEP) creates sustainable pathways into the cannabis industry for individuals most impacted by the War on Drugs, marijuana prohibition, disproportionate arrest, and incarceration. The free, statewide technical assistance and training program provides Participants with education, skill-based training, and tools for success in the industry across four areas: entrepreneurship, managerial-level workforce development, re-entry and entry-level workforce development, and ancillary business support.
The SEP is not a license type. Upon completion of this program, participants will have acquired tools and training to apply for and obtain a license through the Cannabis Control Commission (Commission). However, completion of the program does not guarantee licensure.
SEP benefits include:
For those who maintain majority ownership in the business, the following fee waivers and exclusive license types are also available:
Understanding Equality vs. Equity
Equality involves giving everyone the same resources, whereas equity involves giving resources based on the individual needs of the recipients.
While equality focuses on dividing resources equally, equity focuses on dividing resources proportionally to the needs of those involved in order to achieve a fair outcome.