Resources

The Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) has posted Resources that provide some links, studies, and data that may be of assistance as businesses create their Diversity Plan (DP) and update it during its operation. For additional assistance, review the Commission’s Guidance on Diversity Plans.

To understand the state of diversity in the regulated cannabis industry in Massachusetts, the Commission publishes license and agent registration data. The most recent diversity data can be found using the Commission’s Open Data Platform.

Vendor Diversity Organizations

In addition to the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO), these organizations also certify or list businesses for their status as a woman, minority, veteran, disabled, or LGBTQ business establishments.  These organizations can also help a licensee find qualified vendors.  Some organizations also offer educational opportunities for small business owners to help strengthen and support their business.  Additional certifying agencies and organizations serving Massachusetts include but are not limited to the following:

• Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) – Based in Boston, CWE is a nationally known nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people start and grow their businesses.
• Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC) – GNEMSDC has an office in Boston and advances business opportunities for certified Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American business enterprises and connects them to corporate members.
• Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA) – BECMA works to support emerging and established Black-owned businesses in Massachusetts and connect members with contract opportunities in the public and private sectors, as well as share resources that will help grow the capacity and operations of these enterprises.
• Hispanic American Institute – The Institute, with an office in Boston, is implementing a Small Business Initiative to help bring together Hispanic entrepreneurs and nonprofits with sources of financing in the private, government, and foundation sectors.
• National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) – NGLCC is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities for the LGBT business community and is the exclusive third-party certifying body for Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) companies.
• Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce – The Chamber provides support and assistance to LGBT business owners and leaders across the Commonwealth.
• Disability:IN – Disability:IN calls itself the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide.
• National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) – NaVOBA seeks to create corporate contracting opportunities for America’s Veteran’s and Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprises through certification, advocacy, outreach, recognition, and education.
• Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives – Working with a local chamber of commerce can also help identify diverse businesses in the community near your location.

The Commission is not affiliated with and does not endorse these organizations.

Labor Market Information Resource

Find economic data and labor market information on Massachusetts, including employment and wage data, unemployment rate, projections, industry and occupational statistics and other workforce statistical information by different labor market areas:

Department of Unemployment Assistance, Office of Labor Market Information

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Agency-related Resources

There are various state agencies in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that offer and provide programs and resources to help support employees that may be included in your DP. Please follow the links below for additional information for each agency:

• Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) – MCB services individuals in Massachusetts who are legally blind by providing access to employment opportunities and social rehabilitation with the goal of increasing independence and self-determination
• Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) – MOD serves as a resource to state agencies, municipalities, and members of the general public by providing information, guidance and training on matters concerning disability-related civil rights, equal access, and opportunity.
• Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) – MRC helps individuals with disabilities to live and work independently. MRC is responsible for Vocational Rehabilitation, Community Living, and Disability Determination for federal benefit programs.
• Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General’s Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE) – The OEE focuses on creating and implementing programs and initiatives that give women and veterans the tools they need to succeed at home and in the workplace.

Sample DPs

For informational purposes only, the Commission has published several sample DPs that offer examples of best practices linked above. While applicants and licensees are welcome to gain insight and ideas from the provided examples, DPs should be specific and unique to each establishment and should not come from copying and pasting these examples. The Commission will continue to offer resources and articles in this Resource section that may help with drafting or amending a DP.