One bill in Connecticut would create a “social equity council” as well as a “Cannabis Equity and Innovation Account,” funding workforce development programs and offering grants with cash from potential cannabis excise tax revenue.
Both would create some form of commission akin to one in Massachusetts, designed to issue retail licenses.
In the same meeting, Collins highlighted the development of a “mentorship tracker,” headed by interim director of community outreach Alyssa Flores. While mentoring on topics such as accounting, navigating local laws and cultivation are key components of the SEP classes facilitated by vendors, Flores is seeking to go further in connecting individuals looking to learn with those in the know when it comes to the billion dollar industry.
Ultimately, the service would be another helpful tool for participants in the social equity program. If and when it is completed, it would join a list of other benefits individuals earn from completing the program, such as access to social consumption and delivery-only licenses as well as a waiver for application fees for licenses.
Of the overall 223 applications that have been approved to commence operations, 25 have equity-related status, including four from SEP participants.