Tag

social equity

18 articles tagged with "social equity"

All News Industry News34 Legislation332 Medical Cannabis16 Products14 Culture64 Science & Research16 Business110 International20

Business

Social Equity Architect Calls Program a 'Trap' for Black Founders

Amber Senter, who created Oakland's pioneering social equity program in 2016, now says it funneled Black entrepreneurs into capital-intensive dispensary ownership while ancillary businesses offered better paths to success.

Jun 3, 2026

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Business

Cannabis Strategist Dasheeda Dawson Launches Northeast Policy Tour

Cannabis strategist and former regulator Dasheeda Dawson launches The State [of] Flower Tour, bringing policy education and community engagement events to Northeastern cannabis markets.

May 30, 2026

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Business

NECANN Founder Shepard Shifts Focus Back to Northeast Markets

NECANN founder Marc Shepard says current Northeast cannabis policy battles mirror early legalization fights, as local operators struggle against MSOs for market share across the region.

May 29, 2026

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Culture

New Jersey Legacy Operator Challenges Corporate Cannabis Model

Scarlet Reserve Room owner Wil Rivera argues New Jersey's legal cannabis market lacks the cultural authenticity of legacy operators, as corporate consolidation reshapes the industry.

May 21, 2026

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Culture

Freedom Grow Pivots to National Fundraising Model Under New Leadership

Freedom Grow nonprofit shifts from volunteer prisoner support to national fundraising model under new leadership from Beard Bros Pharms founders. Expansion includes retail partnerships and community events.

May 18, 2026

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Business

New York Microbusiness Model Offers Alternative to Corporate Cannabis

New York's vertically integrated microbusiness licenses let small operators control cultivation through retail, offering a structural alternative to corporate-dominated markets—but high startup costs remain a barrier.

May 16, 2026

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Products

Laganja Estranja's Cannabis Line Launches at Chicago's First Queer-Owned Dispensary

Drag performer Laganja Estranja debuts her first cannabis line at Chicago's SWAY Dispensary May 16, with nuEra Cannabis cultivating the sativa blend that's built to outlast typical Pride Month product cycles.

May 9, 2026

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Culture

Last Prisoner Project Has Freed Dozens, Provided $4M in Legal Aid

Last Prisoner Project has provided over $4M in legal services and freed dozens of cannabis inmates since 2019, while thousands remain incarcerated as the legal industry generates billions.

May 3, 2026

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Legislation

AOC Backs Marijuana Rescheduling Despite Social Justice Concerns

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez supports federal marijuana rescheduling but warns that reform without expungement and equity measures fails those harmed by prohibition.

Apr 30, 2026

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Business

Illinois Allocates $32M in Loans to Social Equity Cannabis Operators

Illinois approved $32 million in low-interest loans for social equity cannabis businesses, addressing capital barriers that have prevented most license winners from opening. The funding targets craft growers and dispensaries in a market dominated by large operators.

Apr 23, 2026

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Business

Florida Cannabis Entrepreneur Lost $150K in License Lottery Before Finding Alternative Path

After losing $150,000 in Florida's MMTC license lottery, GÜD Essence CEO Jasmine Johnson built a cannabis business through ancillary services—highlighting systemic barriers facing minority entrepreneurs in restrictive markets.

Apr 15, 2026

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Legislation

Illinois Social Equity Lottery Faces Final Legal Challenge

Illinois appellate court hears arguments in final lawsuit challenging the state's social equity cannabis licensing lottery, with rejected applicants claiming the state failed to deliver on promises made when recreational marijuana was legalized in 2019.

Apr 13, 2026

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Industry News

New York's Cannabis Program Shows Signs of Recovery After Rocky Start

Five years after legalizing cannabis, New York's market is stabilizing after regulatory delays and illicit competition nearly derailed the program. Housing Works executive details improvements in licensing, enforcement, and supply chain.

Mar 22, 2026

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Legislation

Virginia Legislature Sends Adult-Use Cannabis Bill to Governor

Virginia's legislature approved a bill creating regulated adult-use cannabis sales, sending it to Gov. Youngkin after reconciling House and Senate versions. The framework includes local opt-out provisions and prioritizes social equity applicants.

Mar 15, 2026

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Legislation

Rhode Island Cannabis Regulators Face Pressure on Lottery Licenses

Rhode Island cannabis regulators are under pressure to finalize their lottery system for 20 new dispensary licenses by May, as applicants who've invested time and money demand clarity on the selection process.

Feb 22, 2026

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Legislation

Virginia Senate Advances Marijuana Sales Bill, Resentencing Relief

Virginia Senate committee approved bills to create legal marijuana sales and allow resentencing for cannabis convictions, though both face uncertain prospects in the full legislature.

Feb 5, 2026

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Legislation

Virginia Proposes $10M Fee for MSOs Seeking Adult-Use Licenses

Virginia regulators propose charging MSOs $10 million to convert medical licenses for adult-use sales, while reserving half of new retail licenses for social equity applicants in the state's delayed recreational market.

Jan 28, 2026

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Culture

Vic Mensa Calls for Cannabis Industry to Preserve Cultural Roots

Rapper Vic Mensa warns the cannabis industry risks losing its cultural foundation as corporations dominate a market built by communities still largely excluded from ownership.

Jan 17, 2026

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