Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Opens Social Equity Program to New Applicants

The application period will span Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2026

WORCESTER— The Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) on Sept. 1 will begin accepting applications for the Social Equity Program (SEP), a free, statewide technical assistance and training program designed to create sustainable pathways into the cannabis industry for individuals who have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement.

To prepare applicants, the Commission’s Equity Programming and Community Outreach (EPCO) department will host four virtual SEP application clinics with the first set for Aug. 26. The remaining clinics will be held throughout the application period, which ends Nov. 30.

“To date, nearly 1,300 individuals have been accepted into the SEP, gaining access to a collection of resources that provide access to jobs, career training, business opportunities and more,” said Commissioner Xiomara Albán DeLobato, whose portfolio includes equity and social justice. “The SEP helps individuals find sustainable opportunities in the cannabis industry, whether through exclusive access to licenses, or by providing ongoing support through training opportunities or the new EquityWorks Career Hub, so we hope to see high interest during this application opportunity.”

The Commission launched the SEP in 2018 to fulfill a legislative mandate to encourage full participation in the regulated cannabis marketplace by people from communities disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. Since then, the program has evolved to include an on-demand library of training programs, integrated business solutions and support, and exclusive access to delivery and forthcoming social consumption license types.

All SEP participants gain immediate access to expedited review by licensing staff when submitting license applications, and certain fee reductions and waivers. SEP participants are also eligible to apply for funding from the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund through the Executive Office of Economic Development.

The SEP offers four training tracks designed to match participants’ interests, skills, and desired outcomes in or around the cannabis industry:

Entrepreneur Track: For SEP participants seeking Marijuana Establishment licensure. Training prepares participants to apply for, own, and operate a licensed cannabis business and covers the Commission’s application and licensure process, business plan development, raising capital, operational compliance, municipal processes, and Host Community Agreements.
Leadership and Executive Development Pathway: For SEP participants pursuing managerial and executive-level careers with licensed cannabis businesses. Training includes cannabis operations, cultivation, product manufacturing, laboratory testing, retail, and résumé and interview preparation.
Pathway to Employment: For individuals re-entering the workforce following incarceration or those who are new to the cannabis industry and interested in entry-level employment with a Marijuana Establishment. Training includes retail, cultivation, product manufacturing, testing, cannabis-specific education, and résumé and interview preparation.
Integrated Business Solutions: For SEP participants who are not seeking licensure or employment with a Marijuana Establishment but have businesses or transferable skills that support the cannabis industry without touching cannabis plants or products. Examples include HVAC, web design, cleaning services, marketing, plumbing, accounting, security, and other service or supply-chain businesses. Training includes business planning, facility design, accounting, taxes, business compliance, branding, marketing, and advertising.

SEP participants have ongoing access to previously delivered instructor-led curricula, course assignments, and related resources through the Commission’s learning management system, TalentLMS. These self-paced materials are accessible at any time, providing participants with the flexibility to engage with training based on their individual schedules, needs, and stages of development. This approach is designed to meet participants where they are and provide meaningful guidance and support throughout their professional and entrepreneurial journeys. Additional information regarding future instructor-led training opportunities will be shared once the schedule has been finalized.

“We encourage anyone interested in a career in the cannabis industry to take advantage of the free suite of resources available through the SEP,” Executive Director Travis Ahern said. “Hundreds of individuals have already found careers and entrepreneurship opportunities through the program, and as part of our equity mandate, we will continue to grow the SEP to meet the needs of all applicants where they are.”

To be considered for the Social Equity Program, applicants must meet at least one of the following eligibility criteria:

Have a household income at or below 400 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) and have resided for at least five of the past 10 years in a Massachusetts Area of Disproportionate Impact (ADI).
Have been a Massachusetts resident for at least the past 12 months and have been convicted of or received a Continuance Without a Finding (CWOF) for an offense under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 94C or an equivalent conviction in other jurisdictions.
Have been a Massachusetts resident for at least the past 12 months and be the spouse or child of an individual who was convicted of or received a CWOF for an offense under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 94C or an equivalent conviction in other jurisdictions.
Be recognized by the Commission as an original Economic Empowerment Applicant (EEA) and satisfy one or more of the following criteria:
- Lived for five of the preceding 10 years in an ADI, as determined by the Commission;
- Experience in one or more previous positions where the primary population served was disproportionately impacted, or where primary responsibilities included economic education, resource provision or empowerment to disproportionately impacted individuals or communities;
- Black, African American, Hispanic or Latino descent; or
- Other significant articulable demonstration of past experience in or business practices that promote economic empowerment in an ADI.

For more information about the program, how to apply, and for information about application clinics, sign up for the Social Equity email list or visit the Social Equity webpage. Applicants can contact the Commission by phone (774) 415-0200 or emailing commission@cccmass.com or by following the agency on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.

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