Program Utilizes $1 Million Allocated in FY ’24 Budget to Support Equity Licensees and Marginalized Communities
LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 1, 2023) — Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the announcement of the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) Social Equity Grant Program:
“I applaud the announcement of the Cannabis Regulatory Agency’s new grant program, which utilizes funds allocated in the FY ’24 budget to support equity licensees and their communities,” said Sen. Anthony. “After years of engagement with the department and stakeholders, I am happy to see this program finally come to fruition, and I look forward to seeing the impact it will have across our state. We know in the wake of cannabis legalization large businesses have profited, but the communities most impacted by the history of cannabis prohibition have not shared in many of those gains. This program is about remedying the past harms of Michigan’s cannabis ban and reinvesting in licensees and communities across our state that have been overlooked for far too long.”
In 2020, then-Rep. Anthony served on the Marijuana Regulatory Agency (now the Cannabis Regulatory Agency) Racial Equity Advisory Workgroup, which recommended several policies, including the implementation of a social equity grant program.
The newly announced CRA Social Equity Program will invest $1 million in grants allocated in the FY ’24 budget for eligible participants to invest in their businesses, employees and communities.
Program funds must be spent in one or more of the following categories:
· Employee education — The entity can pay for an employee to enroll in one or more classes or courses that are related to the entity’s business at an accredited institution.
· Business needs — The entity can cover the costs of complying with the licensing and regulatory statutes and rules that apply to the entity’s business.
· Community investment — The entity can support or donate to organizations, nonprofits, and/or charities that have a positive impact on the community where the entity operates.
The application window for the 2024 Social Equity Grant Program runs from December 1, 2023, through January 26, 2024. The completed grant application must be received by the CRA via email no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 26, 2024. The application and instructions can be found at Michigan.gov/CRA.
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