Boston Cannabis Equity Program
The Boston Cannabis Equity Program supports those disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs in achieving success within Boston’s cannabis industry.
In November 2019, the City of Boston passed an "Ordinance Establishing Equitable Regulation of the Cannabis Industry in the City of Boston", establishing the Boston Cannabis Equity Program.
"It would be unjust if, following the legalization of cannabis by the voters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, people from the affected groups were not allowed to receive the economic benefits of legalization."
- Boston City Council, 2019
The Boston Cannabis Equity Program prioritizes equity by designating qualified licensees as Certified Boston Equity Applicants, providing access to financial and technical assistance, leveling the playing field in the licensing process, and focusing on people of Black and African American, Hispanic and Latino, Indigenous, and Asian descent.
Why Equity is our Priority
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Have questions? Contact:
Akilah Armstrong
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Stay Connected!
Get the latest news, updates, deadlines, event announcements, and resources exclusively for cannabis equity applicants, delivered straight to your inbox.
Upcoming Event
Join us for the FY25 Technical Assistance End of Contract Celebration!
Come celebrate the close of our FY25 Technical Assistance Vendor Contracts and the incredible projects completed throughout this cycle. We’ll highlight projects from both our traditional technical assistance offerings and BECMA’s Cannabis Business Empowerment Program, showcasing the impactful projects completed this year.
This event is open to all, especially cannabis equity applicants and business owners. Come network and celebrate the technical assistance providers.
We're excited to celebrate with you and kindly ask that you register using the link below.
Program Overview
Program OverviewTo apply for the Boston Cannabis Equity Program and get certified as a Boston Cannabis Equity applicant or business:
1. Determine which eligibility criteria you meet
2. Gather all your required documents
3. Contact the Cannabis Equity Program Manager to apply by emailing CannabisEquity@Boston.gov.
The eligibility criteria for the Boston Cannabis Equity Program were set by the Boston City Ordinance 8-13.3. You can find more information about eligibility requirements and examples of eligibility documentation on the Boston Cannabis Equity Program frequently asked questions.
To be eligible for certification, you must meet the following:
- Have an active cannabis licensing application with the Boston Cannabis Board (BCB);
- Have a commercial lease or letter of intent within the city of Boston;
- Own or be a part of a group that owns at least 51% of the business
Additionally, you must meet 3 of the 7 eligibility criteria:
- A person who has resided in an Area of Disproportionate Impact (ADI) for at least 5 of the last 10 years.
- A past arrest or conviction for the possession, sale, manufacturing, or cultivation of Marijuana between 1971 and 2016, and has been a resident of Boston for the past five years;
- For yourself; Or
- For your parent or guardian
- A person who has resided in the City of Boston for at least the past 7 years.
- A person who is of Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino, Indigenous, or Asian descent.
- A person whose annual household income is at or below 100% of the area median income for their city or town.
- A person who has been certified by the Cannabis Control Commission as an Economic Empowerment Applicant, or is a participant in the Cannabis Control Commission's Social Equity Program, and is a resident of Boston for at least one of the last three years.
- A person who is a current or former member of the United States Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force) who served on active duty and was discharged under honorable conditions.
When applying to the Boston Cannabis Equity Program, you must submit supporting documentation to verify each eligibility category under which you are applying. Below are examples of acceptable documents for each eligibility criteria. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and the Cannabis Equity Program Manager may request additional information as needed.
NOTE: WHEN submitting the required documents, be sure to INCLUDE DOCUMENTATION for each individual OWNER CONTRIBUTING TO THE 51% OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENT:
Proof of residency in Boston or an Area of Disproportionate Impact (ADI). You must provide one bill or statement for each year you are proving residency.
- Mortgage statement
- Property Tax Statement
- Property Deed
- Homestead Exemption
- Lease agreement (first page and signature page),
- Electric bill
- Phone bill
- Bank statement
- Credit card bill
- Cable bill
- Car insurance coverage page
Proof of Past Conviction:
- Signed CORI acknowledgment form
- Court Record
- Parole Summary
Proof of Income. Provide copies of your most recent:
- Federal Tax Return, or State Tax Return
- Company offer letter, and a full year of pay stubs
Proof of CCC Economic Empowerment or Social Equity Program Certification:
- Provide a copy of your certification letter
Proof of Service:
- Provide your DD214 record
- Military ID Card
- Veteran ID Card
Proof of Race/Ethnicity:
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Provide a government-issued ID
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Census
If you do not meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Have an active cannabis licensing application with the Boston Cannabis Board (BCB);
- Have a commercial lease or letter of intent within the city of Boston;
- Own or be a part of a group that owns at least 51% of the business
Pre-certification for the Boston Equity Program is available. It is designed to assist applicants in meeting the above requirements by providing technical assistance and an official letter from the Mayor's Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion.
To get Pre-Certified, you must meet 3 of the 7 eligibility criteria:
- A person who has resided in an Area of Disproportionate Impact (ADI) for at least 5 of the last 10 years.
- A past arrest or conviction for the possession, sale, manufacturing, or cultivation of Marijuana between 1971 and 2016, and has been a resident of Boston for the past five years;
- For yourself; Or
- For your parent or guardian
- A person who has resided in the City of Boston for at least the past 7 years.
- A person who is of Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino, Indigenous, or Asian descent.
- A person whose annual household income is at or below 100% of the area median income for their city or town.
- A person who has been certified by the Cannabis Control Commission as an Economic Empowerment Applicant, or is a participant in the Cannabis Control Commission's Social Equity Program, and is a resident of Boston for at least one of the last three years.
- A person who is a current or former member of the United States Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force) who served on active duty and was discharged under honorable conditions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQSRecent Initiatives
Cannabis Business Empowerment Program
Learn more about the Cannabis Business Empowerment Program, a previous initiative from the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA) in collaboration with the Boston Cannabis Equity Program.
Cannabis Equity Grant
The Boston Cannabis Equity Program hosted a virtual info session about the Boston Cannabis Equity Grant on January 30, 2025. This session included a detailed walk-through of the application process, eligibility criteria, and a question-and-answer segment.
Written Quote Contracts
The Boston Cannabis Equity Program sought vendors to provide technical assistance to our pre-certified and certified cannabis equity applicants and businesses through written quote contracts in November and December 2024.
Cannabis License Transferability Public Comment Period
The Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion (OEOI) and Boston Cannabis Board (BCB) sought public comments on cannabis license transferability from October 8 to October 29, 2024.
Cannabis Equity Resources
Boston Cannabis Equity Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Learn more about the Boston Cannabis Equity Program and how to apply.
Boston Cannabis Board
The Boston Cannabis Board is an independent body responsible for reviewing and approving all cannabis license applications in the City of Boston.
Boston Cannabis Licensing Process Flow
Cannabis Licensing Process Flow
Know The Laws
Adult-use of marijuana, or cannabis, is legal in Massachusetts for people ages 21 and older. Read through the laws and policies you need to follow.
Responsible Adult Use
State certified cannabis is regulated and tested. Learn how to consume safely and responsibly.
Youth Prevention
Even though adult-use cannabis is now legal in Massachusetts for adults, 21+, it is still illegal for anyone under the age of 21*
Cannabis registry map
Cannabis facility registry dataset
This Open Data Registry includes currently licensed applicants as well as pending cannabis license applicants.
Additional Resources
Additional ResourcesWho's Involved:
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Have questions? Contact:
Akilah Armstrong
-
Stay Connected!
Get the latest news, updates, deadlines, event announcements, and resources exclusively for cannabis equity applicants, delivered straight to your inbox.
