To counteract historical inequities in their state, Connecticut is bringing to the table an initiative to prioritize BIPOC communities for recreational use business licenses. The Social Equity Council is working directly with Democratic Governor Ned Lamont to get this program off the ground ASAP!
Last month, the Nutmeg State joined the growing group of legalized recreational marijuana districts. Sales are expected to start in Summer 2022. Alongside the new mandate, steps are in place that ensures communities hit hardest by the alleged war on drugs get their due.
For the initiative, the Council created a map that identifies over 200 disproportionately impacted areas. The areas are in the majority urban zones consisting of blacks and non-whites. These regions can expect to get priority for license distribution.
Combined, the regions represent only a quarter of Connecticut’s populace but somehow manage to account for almost 70 percent of the state’s overall drug convictions. In total, the combined areas also have unemployment rates of over 10 percent.
The new law mandates 50 percent of cannabis licensing go to equity applicants. Individuals and companies may also be eligible for training, funding, and lower licensing fees to help with startup costs. Social equity applicants should earn less than 300 percent of the state’s median income. Currently, that number’s roughly around $114,00 per year.
The Council plans to develop and complete its list of qualifications for eligibility by September. Candidates can start submitting applications 30 days after the list becomes public. Non-equity operations can start their application process 60 days after the list goes up.
Media and political outlets are associating many of these initiatives with the promise of 40 acres and a mule, a phrase made famous (and infamous) by Spike Lee.
The origin of the phrase goes back to Abraham Lincoln. The 16th president promised reparations to freed slaves by distributing land. The plan was to have 40 acres going to each family. Later, General William Sherman, who confiscated acres in the hundreds of thousands for the distribution, offered to lend mules to the new landowners.
Lincoln’s promise never saw fruition. After his assassination, the president’s predecessor, Andrew Johnson, rejected all land proposals. On Johnson’s watch, most of the property Sherman seized got returned to Southerners.
Filmmaker Spike Lee reaffirmed the desecrated deed behind 40 acres and a mule by giving that name to his film company.
Like Connecticut, other legal marijuana states have equity programs. Standing out in the field are Michigan, California, and Illinois.
Michigan is reducing application fees in disproportionately impacted communities. The state also aims to see half of its distributed licenses land in the hands of equity applicants. California is offering cannabis license applicants unique grants, loans, and technical support.
The state of Illinois is awarding points to equity applicants in its recreational license evaluations. Illinois is also charging existing medical license holders — white men! — heavy fees for using significant grants and loans for incoming equity competitors.
