Bill > S87

This bill aims to increase cannabis revenue allocation to communities harmed by the war on drugs by modifying several existing provisions of Massachusetts cannabis law. The bill increases the percentage of cannabis revenue transferred to the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund from 12% to 18%, with specific allocations for supporting socially and economically disadvantaged businesses and communities. These allocations include funding for technical assistance programs, community empowerment and reinvestment grants, and support for businesses owned by people who have been impacted by marijuana-related arrests, including minority, women, veteran, worker, and immigrant-owned microbusinesses. The bill also expands the composition of advisory boards to include an ancillary business representative, reduces the waiting period for social equity businesses to receive provisional licenses, and provides specific annual grants to organizations like The EON Foundation, the Coalition for an Equitable Economy, and Mass CultivatED. The community grants will focus on job training, employment programs, dropout prevention, business development, housing stabilization, addiction treatment, and mental health services in communities disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system. By April 1, 2025, the executive office must submit a detailed report on the grant criteria, approved grants, and fund distribution status.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S87