The commission will reopen the fifth application period for new participants to qualify for the Social Equity Program from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30
Last Thursday, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission “officially launched the next iteration of live programming for the state’s Social Equity Program (SEP) with an orientation session at its Worcester headquarters.”
The agency noted in a media release: “The first-in-the-nation SEP was launched in 2018 in accordance with a state mandate that requires full participation in the regulated cannabis marketplace by communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition.” “To date, 1,101 individuals have become certified as SEP participants based on specific criteria, with approximately 52% self-identifying as Black or African American and approximately 20% self-identifying as Hispanic or Latino.”
“Training for the program’s most recent participants is set to begin this fall.” For this first session, “23 individuals joined the Commission in person and online to learn about the SEP curriculum and upcoming programming, exclusive licensing opportunities, and funding opportunities through the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED)’s Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund.”
“The continued, tremendous interest from people to participate in this program is testimony that its training, technical assistance, and community are very much needed to ensure equity in regulated cannabis,” CCC Executive Director Travis Ahern said in a statement. “Although the latest cohort has had access to existing materials and staff support since last year, we are very excited to be launching new, live instruction.”
SEP Participants have the option of completing coursework along several self-selected tracks: Essential Learning and Business Development and Expansion; Leadership and Executive Development; Employment; Integrated Business Solutions; and Entrepreneur.
Moving forward, “Individuals who have already been accepted into the program but were unable to attend the first orientation session will have another opportunity to participate on August 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library. The next session is in person only and SEP participants must register here in order to attend.”
And for those who still hope to get into the upcoming cohort: “The Commission will reopen the fifth application period for new participants to qualify for the SEP from August 1 through September 30. Eligible individuals can apply by creating an account through the Commission’s online Massachusetts Cannabis Industry Portal (MassCIP). Resources, including instructional video tutorials and rack cards, are available online. Learn more about getting started by visiting the Commission’s dedicated web section under MassCannabisControl.com/equity.”
