Los Angeles selects 100 cannabis social equity applicants after court victory

An additional 100 social equity applicants in Los Angeles will get an opportunity to apply for cannabis retail licenses after a U.S. district judge refused to halt the lottery selection.

Los Angeles’ marijuana social equity program latest to be challenged

A Michigan man challenging marijuana social equity programs across the country as unconstitutional has filed another lawsuit against a local licensing program, this time against Los Angeles.

Illinois social equity cannabis grower receives $1M loan via new program

Helios Labs, a minority-owned craft cannabis grower Broadview, Illinois, received a $1 million loan through a program designated for social equity license holders.

Illinois licenses first social equity adult-use marijuana retailers

Illinois regulators issued the state’s first social equity adult-use marijuana retail license to an ownership group comprised of “wealthy and connected” Chicago entrepreneurs, including a former police officer.

Illinois offers forgivable loans to social equity marijuana businesses

Illinois is offering a total of $8.75 million in forgivable loans to conditionally approved social equity marijuana licensees “in order to provide immediate access to capital” after challenges with a previous loan program.

First social equity cannabis retailer opens in California’s capital city

The first cannabis store operated by a social equity licensee opened in Sacramento, California, roughly two years after the City Council authorized and designated 10 retail licenses for those who had been arrested or adversely affected by the war on drugs.

Cannabis social equity applicants advance in Connecticut licensing process

Four social equity license applicants in Connecticutsare proceeding with their applications to serve the state’s upcoming $250 million adult-use cannabis market, regulators said.

First licensed social equity craft marijuana grower opens in Illinois

Star Buds IL became the first social equity craft marijuana grower to begin operations in Illinois.

Marijuana social equity applicants nationwide face similar challenges

Despite the promise of social equity leveling the playing field in the marijuana industry, most diversity applicants and license holders believe the cards are stacked against them.

From Los Angeles to Boston, common obstacles include limited access to capital, complicated application processes, real estate priced well above market rates and bureaucratic logjams.

Illinois marijuana company wins licenses after social equity lawsuit

High Haven, a female-led, minority-owned marijuana company, secured five conditional business licenses in Illinois after suing the state over the social equity application process.

More lawsuits filed over Connecticut marijuana social equity licensing

More lawsuits have been filed against the state of Connecticut by applicants who failed to win marijuana cultivation permits through the social equity program.

New York to open social equity marijuana licensing window

The window for marijuana social equity retail license applications to be submitted in New York state will last a little more than a month, beginning Aug. 25 and ending Sept. 26.