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Massachusetts — The state’s Cannabis Control Commission’s (CCC’s) Social Equity Program, which was launched back in June 2019, is looking for new participants.
CCC Commissioner Bruce Stebbins told The Berkshire Edge that the Social Equity Program offers free technical assistance and training to get into the cannabis industry. Eligible participants for the program are residents who were most impacted by the “War on Drugs,” meaning residents who were impacted by arrests and incarceration due to previous state prohibitions of marijuana, as well as residents who may have a relative convicted of a marijuana-related offense.
Also eligible for the program are residents who are in what the commission has designated as “Disproportionately Impacted Areas” (DIAs), areas that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. The commission has designated 30 DIAs across the state, including two in Berkshire County: Pittsfield and North Adams.
There are four cohorts as part of the program. This includes an “entrepreneur” cohort for those who are seeking to own a cannabis business, a “core” cohort for those interested in cannabis careers at the managerial and executive level, an “entry” cohort for those seeking positions at marijuana-based establishments, and an “ancillary” cohort for those who have existing skills that are directly transferable to supporting cannabis businesses.
“This program is directed to people who might be interested in pursuing a career in this relatively new industry,” Stebbins told The Berkshire Edge. “The programs and courses through this program help people to understand the application processes and regulations that are in place. Over the past couple of years, we have also adjusted the program as new topics have emerged. For example, if somebody wants to open a cannabis business, they just can’t run down to their local bank and take out a loan. So how do you raise capital for your business and do it in a way that doesn’t put you at the risk of vulnerability of a predatory lender coming in and taking advantage of you? That’s the type of technical assistance and training we’ve been teaching. We want to help people who want to get into the cannabis industry.”
Stebbins said that 800 people have gone through the program. “[The program and its cohorts] has built a network of alumni who are all supporting each other, helping each other out, and learning from each other,” Stebbins said. “They continue to look at the commission for updating training and technical assistance that’s offered.”
Stebbins said that the majority of the classes and training are conducted online.
“The whole program is a way to help residents that were disproportionately impacted by the ‘War on Drugs,’” Stebbins said.
Stebbins explained that, despite the multiple potential hurdles that the program intends to help people with, it is a good time for Social Equity applicants looking to get into the cannabis industry. “It is still a relatively new industry, and we still see many new applications every month before the commission for approval,” Stebbins said. “Recently, thanks to the support from the state legislature, they created a Social Equity Trust Fund. So now Social Equity-based businesses can apply to the state for grant support to support or help them open their businesses. Access to capital is a big issue for small businesses, but especially for cannabis businesses. The creation of this equity trust fund is going to be extremely helpful.
For the first round of grants, the Social Equity Trust Fund awarded $2 million in grants. “I think there are tremendous opportunities when it comes to the cannabis business,” Stebbins said.
The application deadline for entry into the current program is Tuesday, April 30. For more information about the Cannabis Control Commission’s Social Equity Program, visit its website.
