Cannabis Social Equity

New York's Cannabis Workforce Initiative (CWI) is playing a pivotal role in fostering social equity in the state's growing cannabis market. Launched to offer workforce development and legal education, CWI aims to create opportunities for marginalized communities in the adult-use cannabis sector....

“We as leaders in the space have a duty to help reframe the narrative,” said Hip-Hop pioneer and B NOBLE founder Fab 5 Freddy in an exclusive interview with Benzinga. Discussing the role of cannabis education, he highlighted a recent initiative offering 100 free job training grants in...

As Minnesota prepares to roll out its cannabis licensing in 2025, the influx of out-of-state applicants to the social equity business licenses has raised a few eyebrows and sparked debate over who will participate in and profit from the state’s burgeoning legal weed industry. Mitchel Chargo,...

In Missouri, a high-stakes controversy is unfolding as state regulators investigate John Payne, a prominent figure in the state's cannabis industry, for his involvement in potentially exploitative contracts under a social equity program. The focus is on whether the business arrangements violate...

As the Northeast U.S. cannabis market takes the lead in growth potential, questions arise on how the region can transform the industry playbook. Can collaboration between legacy operators and established companies pave the way for a thriving, profitable future? At the Benzinga...

Cage-Free Repair, the non-profit arm of Cage-Free Cannabis, released its 2023 Cannabis Social Responsibility Report. Highlighting current social initiatives in the cannabis industry, the report covers comprehensive research on 20 leading North American cannabis firms, including names like...

"This is a big moment for us," says George Archos, CEO of Verano Holdings Corp (CSE: VRNO)(OTCQX: VRNOF), in light of the recent announcement where the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommended the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to reclassify cannabis from a...

Cannabis Rescheduling: A Catalyst for Minority Empowerment in the Industry "Every member of the cannabis industry should strive to be a social equity advocate!" Annu Khot, founder of Sociale Dispensary told exclusively to Benzinga. At the heart of it all is a transformative debate on...

Social equity cannabis businesses regularly contend with the burden of structural inequality, lack of intergenerational wealth, and funding, high taxation and real estate prices, and, stringent compliance standards. The weight of these challenges has frequently pushed many enterprises to the brink...

After Maryland voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum to legalize adult-use cannabis this past November, the new law went into effect on July 1.  One of the main principles of Maryland's legal cannabis program has been to drive opportunity...

The cannabis industry has faced criticism for ignoring minority communities and failing to address the harm caused by the war on drugs, both in terms of ownership and leadership diversity and the impact of cannabis prohibition on these communities. Get the scoop on tackling diversity and equity in...

MJBizDaily’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Cannabis Industry latest report shows the percentage of executive positions held by women and racial minorities in the U.S. cannabis industry remains little changed in 2022 compared to last year. “Both groups have experienced...

On Monday, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced that it is accepting grant solicitations for the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The purpose of the program is to advance economic justice for...

Several states that have recently or soon intend to roll out their adult-use cannabis marketplaces hope progressive equity licensing measures pay off, unlike the states before them. New York, New Jersey, Illinois and others aim to address criminal records while prioritizing licensing for...

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians in Michigan recently joined the state’s recreational cannabis market, reported MjBizDaily. A tribal ordinance, that went into effect on Aug. 29, now regulates and controls the commercial cultivation, processing, distribution and sale...