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Uxbridge Select Board delays vote on social equity policy for cannabis host community agreements
Summary
Board members debated a proposed social equity policy tied to host community agreements (HCAs) for cannabis businesses. Some members objected to preferential criteria; the board agreed to delay final action and allow incoming board members to review the draft.
The Uxbridge Select Board discussed a draft social equity policy intended to guide the town’s review of Host Community Agreements for cannabis businesses, but declined to adopt it at the meeting and agreed to return the item to a future agenda.
Town staff presented a draft policy developed with town counsel and model language from the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) that would give scoring preference to applicants qualifying as social equity or economic empowerment participants under state rules. The presentation noted the CCC makes determinations about social equity status and that the town’s policy would apply a local scoring rubric and procedures before approving HCAs.
Discussion among board members centered on two themes: procedural complexity and the substance of creating preferential criteria. Multiple board members called the draft “complex” and flagged definitions such as “area of disproportionate impact” and multi-part ownership requirements as unclear; at least one member said the proposal felt discriminatory because it gives preference based on race or ethnicity. Other members and staff explained the state program’s purpose — to address historical disparities in enforcement and access to licensing — and pointed to state-administered scoring and funding available to qualifying applicants.
No vote was taken. Multiple members asked that the policy be scheduled for further consideration so newly seated Select Board members can review the draft; staff was asked to circulate a tracked-changes version and to invite additional questions. The board also discussed whether the town must adopt a local policy before approving future HCAs and whether refusal to adopt would affect CCC licensing or local eligibility; town staff said they would seek clarification from the CCC if needed.
The board left the item on the agenda for a subsequent meeting rather than adopting the policy at this session.
