Equitable Opportunities Now urges action on cannabis equity in Massachusetts

The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy convened on June 17, 2025, to address critical issues surrounding equity in Massachusetts' cannabis industry. The meeting featured testimony from Kevin, the deputy director of Equitable Opportunities Now, who emphasized the need for immediate action to rectify the slow progress in achieving equity since the state legalized cannabis.

Kevin highlighted Massachusetts' pioneering role in embedding equity into its legalization framework but noted that the state has fallen behind in supporting social equity applicants. He pointed out that the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund and reforms from the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) were introduced five years after the industry began, leaving equity applicants at a disadvantage against established operators.

He reported that demand for the equity trust fund currently exceeds available funding by a two-to-one ratio, underscoring the urgency for increased financial support. Kevin urged the committee to favorably report on bills H 145 and S 89, which focus on social equity delivery businesses, stressing that these businesses face significant regulatory barriers that hinder their growth.

Kevin also called for legislative clarity to remove existing prohibitions that prevent delivery services from serving hotel guests, a restriction that persists despite state law allowing such operations. He warned that with less than a year remaining in the current exclusivity period, swift legislative action is necessary to ensure small businesses can participate in the market.

In addition to advocating for the aforementioned bills, Kevin expressed support for several other legislative measures aimed at removing real estate barriers, defining medical use eligibility, prohibiting employment discrimination based on legal cannabis use, and addressing cannabis use by first responders.

The meeting concluded without questions from the committee, but Kevin's testimony underscored the pressing need for legislative action to fulfill Massachusetts' commitment to equity in the cannabis industry. The committee's next steps will be crucial in determining the future landscape for social equity businesses in the state.