Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $26 Million in Grants to Support Cannabis Social Equity Businesses

Boston — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced 180 grants totaling $26 million through the Cannabis Social Equity Grant Program, a new program funded by the state’s Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund within the Executive Office of Economic Development designed to support Massachusetts cannabis entrepreneurs from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement.  

"The Cannabis Social Equity Grant Program provides marijuana entrepreneurs with much-needed support as they start and scale their businesses,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are pleased to provide these grants to 180 business owners from populations that were impacted by the War on Drugs and expand economic opportunity in communities across Massachusetts.” 

“We are creating a strong and inclusive cannabis industry that will create new jobs, grow businesses, and power economic opportunity in our cities and towns,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “With these grants, we are laying the groundwork for addressing the harms of marijuana prohibition and investing in a growing sector of our state economy.” 

“Our administration is investing in businesses of every size and scale, and across every industry, to ensure all our residents benefit from a strong economy,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “We’re proud to support these cannabis entrepreneurs as they get their businesses off the ground, make important equipment purchases, invest in facility improvements, and expand in communities across Massachusetts.”

The Executive Office of Economic Development received a total of 278 applications requesting more than $50 million in grant funding during this application round. Entrepreneurs from 32 different communities are receiving awards, including 10 located in Gateway Cities. A full list of award recipients is available here. 

“The Cannabis Social Equity Grant Program demonstrates the Commonwealth’s continuing objective to promote equitable participation in the cannabis industry,” said Representative Daniel M. Donahue, Chair of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy. “I would like to thank Speaker Mariano for his leadership and commitment to passing the legislation that created the Social Equity Trust Fund. This first full round of grants reflects the tireless work put in by the Social Equity Advisory Board, other stakeholders, and my colleagues in the Legislature.” 

“I'm pleased with the hard work and dedication of the Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board and Executive Office of Economic Development,” said Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board Chair Keisha Brice. “Creating and implementing a funding program of this type is no easy task and we are graciously delivering on many of the commitments made. I'm proud to be one of individuals involved and leading the way as we continue to make history and hopefully set standards for what Social Equity programs in cannabis should model. We will continue to build and learn from the initial rounds for improvements and we look forward to the support and feedback.”

The program launched in September 2024 to support economic empowerment priority applicants or social equity program participants, including establishments with a provisional or final license issued by the Cannabis Control Commission, as well as cannabis businesses that intend to apply for licensure in the near future. Grant award sizes range from $25,000 to $500,000 in four tiers based on license status:

• Tier 1: Entry into the regulated cannabis industry – maximum award of $25,000

• Tier 2: Imminent or outstanding expenses essential to the operation of the business – maximum award of $50,000

• Tier 3: Support for the acquisition of final licensure and commencement of business operations – maximum award of $250,000

• Tier 4: Funds to improve and expand the business – maximum award of $500,000

In this round, EOED awarded 111 grants in Tier 1, six grants in Tier 2, 29 grants in Tier 3 and 34 grants in Tier 4. 

The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) is charged with administering the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund in consultation with the Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board, which was created by the legislature to work with and advise EOED on the promulgation of regulations to govern and administer the Trust Fund. 

In April 2024, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $2.4 million in grant funding from the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund to support eligible cannabis social equity license holders with urgent financial needs. Visit the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund website for more information. 

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