The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced grants totaling $28.8 million on Monday to support Massachusetts cannabis entrepreneurs through the Cannabis Social Equity Grant Program. The funding is directed toward business owners from communities disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement to encourage equitable participation in the state's regulated industry.
The program is administered by the Executive Office of Economic Development and funded through the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund. The grants provide financial assistance to entrepreneurs at various stages of the licensing process, from initial entry to expanding existing operations.
The Executive Office of Economic Development received 223 applications for this round of funding, with total requests exceeding $32 million.
"The Cannabis Social Equity Grant Program is about turning policy into real economic opportunity," said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. "These investments support small businesses at critical stages of growth while helping communities across the Commonwealth benefit from a rapidly evolving industry."
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