Bill SD.1983
SECTION 1 of Chapter 94G of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting the following definition:-

“Social Equity Program” a program administered by the Commission to provide training and technical assistance to eligible applicants and licensees. This program includes a Social Equity fund established and administered by the Commission. The purposes of the fund shall include but shall not be limited to training and technical assistance to municipalities and residents interested in participating in the cannabis industry and technical assistance for existing Social Equity Program licensees.

SECTION 2. Subsection a 1/2 of Section 4 of chapter 94G of the General Laws, is hereby amended by striking clause (ii) and by inserting in place thereof the following clauses:-

(ii) a schedule of application, license and renewal fees in an amount necessary to pay for all regulation and enforcement costs of the commission including, but not limited to, the Social Equity Program; provided that 2% of the funds generated by said fees shall go directly to funding the Social Equity program through the Social Equity Fund; provided further however that fees may be relative to the volume of business conducted or to be conducted by the marijuana establishment;

(iii) Municipalities which create their own Social Equity program in compliance with the Commission’s Social Equity program will have the ability to apply to the fund.

SECTION 3. Subsection a 1/2 of Section 4 of chapter 94G of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking clause (iv) by inserting in place thereof the following clause:-

(iv) procedures and policies to promote and encourage full participation in the regulated marijuana industry by people from communities that have previously been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement and to positively impact those communities with services which shall include but shall not be limited to educational seminars, workforce development trainings, local employment opportunities, expungement clinics, outreach and re-entry assistance;