Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Looks Into Which Communities Could Benefit From Its New Equity Program

Although the war on drugs might be over, the remnants of its effects are still widely prevalent. Communities disproportionately affected by the war on drugs are still in repair, but a new program out of Massachusetts aims at helping those in the state participate in the marijuana industry equitably. 

Now, with the state Cannabis Control Commission’s (CCC) new program, those who reside in disproportionately impacted places might have the chance to get a one-way ticket into the industry and get their voice heard. The CCC is looking into which cities and towns in Massachusetts are suffering the most and still affected by cannabis prohibition and law enforcement. 

The CCC will then choose which areas are eligible to enter the blossoming marijuana industry through new benefits and financial aid. The CCC’s social equity program, for example, offers technical training, services/licenses, waived application fees and gives new business owners the tools to thrive in the industry. 

Besides helping those in the most impacted areas, anyone who comes forward with a license application must present a plan to the CCC regarding how their business would positively impact regions hit hard by the war on drugs. The bottom line of each plan should funnel resources back into the communities most affected. 

Besides helping those in the most impacted areas, anyone who comes forward with a license application must present a plan to the CCC regarding how their business would positively impact regions hit hard by the war on drugs. The bottom line of each plan should funnel resources back into the communities most affected. 

Massachusettes was impressively the first state to develop and launch social equity programs like these, and it was the first to implement them in the regulated cannabis marketplace. As of now, the CCC has found 29 “disproportionately impacted areas” in Massachusetts.

But what makes an area “disproportionately impacted”? Well, according to Boston Globe, if you look at some studies on the matter, they’ve all used their own tactics to identify which neighborhoods have been most impacted. Most of these factors are based on arrest data, poverty rates, and racial demographics, but that doesn’t always indicate a community disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition. 

Arrest data isn’t really a clear indicator as criminals don’t always get involved with crime in their own neighborhood. As of now, the CCC is currently analyzing more data to determine which communities are eligible and should benefit from the new program.