Committee advances draft to change cannabis fund flows, add social-equity priority for showcase permits

The Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs committee on an unspecified date in October reviewed a new draft amendment that would preserve the annual clearing of the Cannabis Regulation Fund to the general fund, create or direct one‑time FY2027 transfers to a cannabis business development fund and a community reinvestment fund, and call for prioritizing social‑equity retailers when awarding up to five showcase event permits.

The draft, presented by Legislative Counsel Kirby Keaton, keeps the existing flow that directs 30% of cannabis revenue to prevention programs and the remainder to the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) for regulation and administration, then returns leftover balances to the general fund. "At the end of each fiscal year, the balance in the cannabis regulation, which shall be transferred to general fund," Keaton said while describing language JFO requested for housekeeping of special funds.

Why it matters: the amendment would lock in how revenue flows from the newly regulated cannabis market are handled, add targeted one‑time…