Connecticut’s Social Equity Council voted on whether to let more than a dozen companies start growing adult-use cannabis in Connecticut. The concern is ensuring they are the right companies to help right the wrongs of the war on drugs.
“Our goal was, and is, to affirm that social equity applicants are true owners of their businesses,” said the chair of the Social Equity Council, Andrea Comer, at the start of the meeting, which was held virtually. “Promoting equity in the cannabis industry is our primary charge.”
An outside firm reviewed 41 applications and recommended 5 in Hartford, 3 in New Britain, two each in Bridgeport and Waterbury, and one each in Middletown, Manchester, Southington, and Stamford. The head of the council says the recommendations reflect businesses that can do the work and that are at least 65% owned by local people, not big companies.
“So, they are evaluating folks to ensure that they meet the income threshold, that they lived in the disproportionately affected area for the requisite time period, and that the business itself reflects the 65% ownership for the social equity applicant,” Comer explained in an interview before the meeting.
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