Social Equity

Delaware is earmarking $6.2 million in funding for social-equity cannabis industry applicants, including $4.2 million from industry application fees and an additional $2 million allocated by state lawmakers.

Delaware cannabis officials have warned that out-of-state entities are looking to scam potential social equity applicants by contacting them and trying to deceive them into helping pay for an adult-use cannabis license.

Officials with the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management said they had received more than 700 applications for social equity licenses within the first 24 hours of the application window opening.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy recently visited the Bloomfield cannabis company Prolific GrowHouse after the company unveiled a new cannabis strain named after the governor, ‘Murphy’s Sourz.’

Between 30-40% of Minnesota adults could qualify as applicants to the state’s cannabis social equity program under rules approved by state lawmakers earlier this year.

Minnesota House lawmakers last week passed social equity cannabis licensing provisions and other adjustments to the state’s upcoming adult-use cannabis program.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey awarded grants totaling $2,350,000 to 50 cannabis social equity businesses in the state through the state’s Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund.

The Colorado governor’s office has announced the new Access to Experts pilot program — offered in collaboration with the Cannabis Business Office — to support the state’s social equity licensed cannabis operators.

Maryland officials announced they will hold a lottery for social equity cannabis licenses this week despite multiple lawsuits targeting the equity provision, including one that claims technical difficulties blocked entry.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority is awarding $12 million in joint venture grants to nearly 40 state-licensed dispensaries; the grants are geared toward diverse representatives of communities most affected by the war on drugs.

Maryland officials have released the state’s social equity applicant criteria, including an interactive map to define what qualifies as Disproportionately Impacted Areas.

Phoenix-based cannabis company TILT Holdings Inc. last week abruptly cut ties with three cannabis brands including a social equity entity and paused its partnership with the New York Shinnecock Nation.

The New York Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund last week received a $150 million investment from Chicago Atlantic Admin, LLC. The investment raised the fund’s total up to its $200 million cap.

A New York Appeals Court judge this week narrowed the injunction blocking the licensing of cannabis dispensaries. The move will let the licensing process move forward except in the state’s Finger Lakes region.

A recent proposal in Washington state would create about 100 new retail adult-use cannabis dispensary licenses reserved for social equity applicants.

New York is being sued by several of its medical cannabis operators over the state’s plan to give the first adult-use retail cannabis licenses to social equity applicants.

A recent poll found that 65% of Americans support the legalization of adult-use cannabis — including majorities of Democrat, Republican, and independent or third-party voters — and 57% support the enactment of cannabis social equity measures.