Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) on Tuesday awarded 50 grants totaling $2,350,000 to cannabis social equity businesses in 28 communities through the state’s Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund (CSETF). The fund was established to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants and encourage the full participation in the state’s adult-use cannabis industry by entrepreneurs from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition and enforcement.
“Our administration is committed to righting historic wrongs from the War on Drugs, both by addressing inequities in the criminal justice system and by advancing equity in the cannabis industry. With the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund, we’re creating a sustainable and inclusive path to the industry for Massachusetts entrepreneurs that have faced barriers to entry. This funding will fill critical gaps necessary to allow social equity businesses to grow and succeed here in Massachusetts.” — Healey, in a press release
The grant awardees are: