The Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) held a kick-off seminar for accepted applicants of the nation’s first statewide Social Equity Program in Worcester on Saturday, June 1, 2019. The daylong event at Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Visitors’ Center drew 17 attendees who gained insight into the state’s licensing process and regulations and honed skills for business planning and networking in the Massachusetts cannabis industry.

An additional session is scheduled later this month in Greater Boston for a second cohort of accepted Social Equity Program applicants. Interested individuals should finalize and submit their application for the program by June 6 to be considered for participation. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis through MassCIPortal.com.

The Commission launched the Social Equity Program in accordance with a state mandate that requires full participation in the regulated marketplace by communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition.