Mass. Marijuana: Challenges with social equity, the illicit market, and pesticides

The State House News Forum is the events division of the State House News Service, Massachusetts' leading source of political and public policy news.

State House News Forum

<H2 CLASS="MsoNormal">Mass. Marijuana Forum: Key policy challenges</H2>
<H2 CLASS="MsoNormal"><EM>Exploring new solutions for social equity. Plus: Curbing the illicit market; and the Colorado experience with pesticides</EM></H2>
<P CLASS="MsoNormal">The Massachusetts cannabis industry has expanded at a steady pace this year with new adult-use dispensaries -- now 19 statewide -- opening every month. But nagging questions persist about creating greater participation for minority business owners in the new industry. Is there a legislative or industry solution to meet the mandate to provide opportunities for those in communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs? In a capital-intensive industry without traditional lending options, what's the way forward for entrepreneurial diversity? </P>
<P CLASS="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, the lure of the illicit market has remained strong, taking away would-be customers and diminishing the revenue and public safety impact of adult-use legalization. What can be done to combat the illicit market? Also, hear from a leading regulator in Colorado on how that state successfully introduced pesticides into its industry's cannabis agricultural process.</P>
<P CLASS="MsoNormal">Join the State House News Forum for a provocative and informative discussion on the key issues facing regulators, elected officials, and entrepreneurs looking for opportunities.  Program:</P>
<H3 CLASS="MsoNormal"><SPAN>Networking is 7:30-8 am. Program begins at 8:05.</SPAN></H3>
<H3 CLASS="MsoNormal"><STRONG>Mass. adult-use cannabis overview:</STRONG> Shawn Collins, Executive Director of the Cannabis Control Commission</H3>
<H3 CLASS="MsoNormal"><STRONG>Panel 1:</STRONG> The call for social equity business formation — what will really work?</H3>
<P CLASS="MsoNormal">Can Massachusetts create a model for providing abundant entry points for minority business operators and what is the role of social consumption and delivery in creating entrepreneurial opportunity? What progress has been made and how can entrepreneurs tap resources to build businesses? A group of leading policy-makers and industry experts will discuss the issues, including Cannabis Control Commission Chairman Steven Hoffman, Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, Kim Napoli, Director of Diversity Programs at NETA, and <SPAN>Keith Cooper, President of the Cannabis Dispensary Association and CEO of Revolutionary Clinics</SPAN>. Moderator: Jim Smith of Smith, Costello &amp; Crawford.<SPAN></SPAN></P>
<H3 CLASS="MsoNormal"><STRONG>Keynote:</STRONG> John Scott, <SPAN>Colorado Dept. of Agriculture Pesticides Section Chief on What Massachusetts can learn from Colorado about pesticides in cannabis cultivation. </SPAN></H3>
<H3 CLASS="MsoNormal"><STRONG>Panel 2:</STRONG> The illicit cannabis market is still thriving. What should be done?</H3>
<P><SPAN>It's less expensive and often more available than legal cannabis. And now that cannabis is legal, illegal product sales are flourishing. Join regulators and business owners to explore the trend and the possibility of new policies to combat the illicit market. Panelists include Britte McBride, Commissioner at the Cannabis Control Commission; and State Senator Michael Moore, who has drafted legislation: </SPAN>An Act to enhance enforcement against unlicensed marijuana operators. Moderator: Colin Young, reporter at the State House News Service.</P>
<P CLASS="MsoNormal">The program is in formation and will be announced shortly. For media inquires, contact George Donnelly at <SPAN CLASS="MsoHyperlink"><A HREF="mailto:gdonnelly@bostoneconomy.com" TARGET="_blank" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">gdonnelly@bostoneconomy.com</A>.</SPAN><BR></P>

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Mass. Marijuana: Challenges with social equity, the illicit market, and pesticides

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