Equity Programs / Social Equity Program
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.
The SEP provides participants with education, skills-based training, and tools for success in the industry across four areas: entrepreneurship, managerial-level workforce development, entry-level workforce development, and ancillary support for businesses that contract with the industry but do not hold a license.
The SEP is not a license type. By completing this program, participants will acquire tools and training to help apply for a license through the Cannabis Control Commission if they are interested in owning a Marijuana Establishment (ME) or Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MTC). However, participants in the Entrepreneurship track are not guaranteed licensure from the Commission. Furthermore, alternative SEP pathways to becoming a manager or worker, or providing contract services to the industry, do not require a license application to the Commission.
SEP benefits include:
- Free technical assistance and training through vendors certified by the Commission;
- Expedited license application review for individuals who maintain 10% ownership in a business;
- Beneficiaries of Positive Impact Plans. SEP participants are designated among the intended beneficiaries of these plans. For more information about Positive Impact Plans, see the Commission’s Guidance on Plans to Positively Impact Disproportionately Harmed People; and
- Eligibility to apply to and benefit from the Social Equity Trust Fund. The Social Equity Trust Fund is administered by the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) and only those who maintain their Commission SEP status may access the Social Equity Trust Fund. Learn more on the EOED’s Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund page.
For those who maintain greater than 50% ownership in the business for which they are seeking licensure, the following fee waivers and exclusive license types are also available:
- Waived application fees (this waiver does not include the costs associated with background checks);
- Waived seed-to-sale Metrc monthly program fees (this waiver does not include other costs associated with the seed-to-sale tracking system, specifically the fees for plant and package tags);
- Exclusive access to Social Consumption and Delivery License types during the exclusivity period established pursuant to 935 CMR 500.050, as well as a pre-certification application that offers applicants a preliminary application process that certifies their propensity to run a business of one of these two license types; and
- Note: Certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicants (EEAs) are also included in Social Consumption and Delivery Exclusivity; Microbusinesses and Craft Marijuana Cooperatives are also included in Social Consumption Exclusivity. The exclusivity period for Delivery Licenses was established as April 1, 2022 through April 1, 2026, subject to extension by a vote of the Commission. The exclusivity period for Social Consumption has yet to be determined.
- A 50% reduction of annual license fees, regardless of license type.
Still Have Questions?
Read our Frequently Asked Questions about the Social Equity Program to learn more.
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.
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