January has been a watershed month for cannabis in the state of Michigan, as the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency announced sixteen proposed changes to the state’s cannabis laws and regulations. Aimed at improving access to capital for people of color seeking to break into the cannabis market, this initiative also seeks to address other hurdles commonly faced by minorities in the marijuana industry.

These obstacles include overwhelmingly bureaucratic application processes, prohibitive licensing fees and wait times, and the outsized impact of the War on Drugs for communities of color. Should the changes be implemented, Michigan would boast the most progressive social equity program in the nation, thanks in large part to the MRA’s Racial Equity Advisory Workgroup (formed in July 2020).