social equity

In New York's cannabis game, the rules are different. This isn't Illinois or Florida or Pennsylvania, where massive multistate operators often dominate the market and set the pace. Nor is it a rush to grab VC dollars. In New York, ambition means ownership placed directly in the hands of those...

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....

Illinois hemp growers and advocates have pressed pause on a set of proposed state regulations they say threaten the survival of small and minority-owned businesses in the industry. The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and a legislative committee announced a 45-day delay in finalizing the...

Vice President Kamala Harris is gaining praise from cannabis industry leaders for her plans to federally legalize marijuana, which advocates believe could unlock significant economic opportunities for Black men. In a recent op-ed, The Cannabis Vanguard a coalition of cannabis professionals,...

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correctly attribute the information. Medical marijuana patients in Illinois can now purchase cannabis grown by small businesses as part of their allotment, according to Erin Johnson, the state’s Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer....

As Pennsylvania inches closer to legalizing recreational cannabis, Philadelphia entrepreneurs and advocates are seizing the opportunity to ensure social equity in the emerging industry. Black Cannabis Week is at the forefront of this movement, which launched in 2018 to educate Black and Latino...

Allegations of predatory contracts within Missouri's social equity cannabis program have surfaced, raising concerns about the integrity of the system. A recent investigation by The Missouri Independent revealed a troubling case involving Destiny Brown, a Black woman who believed she was being...

In Minnesota, thousands of applicants will be competing for social equity licenses as the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) prepares for its first-ever lottery to distribute licenses. These licenses will grant 280 fortunate winners the ability to grow, process, and sell cannabis, selected from a...

Adults in Minnesota can legally possess and use recreational cannabis though the state has not yet launched its retail market, which is planned for next year. To that end, more than 3,100 licenses for social equity were pre-approved, and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) shared a 110-page...

Financial access remains a significant hurdle for diverse business owners in the cannabis industry. Despite the industry’s rapid growth, minority entrepreneurs often face barriers to securing funding, navigating regulatory complexities and gaining equitable opportunities. According to a 2017...

Cannabis businesses are increasingly stepping up their community involvement, addressing pressing social issues, and fostering positive local connections. One standout example is Ivy Hall, a dog-friendly neighborhood cannabis retailer in Illinois and a proud member of the Illinois Social Equity...

Illinois is breaking new ground in the cannabis industry with the grand opening of its 100th social equity-owned dispensary in Champaign. The event celebrates the expansion of the cannabis market and the state’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. A recent state-commissioned...

Illinois celebrated the opening of its 100th social equity-owned cannabis dispensary on Friday, a milestone that coincides with the release of a state-commissioned disparity study proclaiming Illinois as having the “most diverse cannabis business ownership in the nation.” Fostering...

Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus said Tuesday that any cannabis legalization law must contain policies concerning restorative justice and social equity. Members of the Caucus said that any bill carries a risk of failing without their support, writes CNHI News. "It is time that we invest in...

In a considerable move to reshape New Jersey’s cannabis industry, the newly formed New Jersey Cannabis Equity Association (NJCEA) is setting the stage for a more inclusive and fair market. This initiative is designed to tackle long-standing disparities resulting from historical drug...