Several states are rolling out social equity programs with the legalization of adult-use cannabis, paving the way for populations who may have been most affected by the “war on drugs.” As of 2021, eleven states have incorporated social equity licenses that allow marginalized populations to become cannabis leaders. Let’s give a big round of applause to Massachusetts, California, New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Vermont, Illinois, Connecticut, Arizona, and Virginia for creating entry points into the cannabis industry for those who may have been previously incarcerated for possession of the plant and/or for those who live in areas where arrest rates were high for cannabis-related “crimes.”

Learn how each state is making the shift and about the current state of social equity programs for cannabis by reading this article from the Cannabis Industry Journal. 

How to qualify by state: 

https://cannabisindustryjournal.com/feature_article/where-are-we-now-social-equity-in-the-us-cannabis-industry/#:~:text=States%20that%20incorporated%20social%20equity,%2C%20Connecticut%2C%20Arizona%20and%20Virginia.