Massachusetts Launches Exclusive Adult-Use Cannabis Licensing Round
Starting February 2024, Massachusetts’ new round of Social Equity Program (SEP) licensing opened for eligible applicants. The SEP application period gives qualifying individuals an exclusive early opportunity to receive specially designated cannabis licenses, including Social Consumption and Delivery licenses. It is important to note that this current SEP window does close at the end of April 2024. However, there are various opportunities still for all prospective licensing applicants (not just Social Equity), with over 10+ license types available. Massachusetts' consistent achievement of record figures for six years running, with 2023 total sales exceeding $1.56 billion, solidifies its position still as an attractive prospect for a mature market.
Licenses Available
All interested applicants, including individuals in SEP, will have the opportunity to apply for various license types, which include:
Cultivation,
Product Manufacturing,
Retail
Marijuana Courier means an entity licensed to deliver finished cannabis products, cannabis accessories and branded goods directly to consumers from a cannabis retailer or Treatment Center. Importantly, they are not authorized to sell cannabis or cannabis products directly to consumers and are not authorized to wholesale, warehouse, process, repackage, or white label.
Marijuana Delivery Operator means an entity licensed to purchase at wholesale and warehouse finished cannabis products acquired from a Marijuana Cultivator, Marijuana Product Manufacturer, Microbusiness or Craft Marijuana Cooperative, and white label, sell and deliver finished cannabis products, cannabis accessories and cannabis branded goods directly to consumers. They are not authorized to repackage cannabis products or operate a storefront under this license.
Microbusiness means an entity that can be either a Tier 1 Marijuana Cultivator or Marijuana Product Manufacturer (or both) and, if in receipt of a Delivery Endorsement, may deliver cannabis products produced at the licensed location directly to consumers.
Exclusive SEP Benefits
As part of the Social Equity Program, those who participate will gain access to certain license benefits, which include:
Continued exclusive access to all Delivery licenses (including Marijuana Courier, Marijuana Delivery Operator, and Microbusinesses with Delivery Endorsements) until at least April 1, 2025
Exclusive access to Social Consumption licenses for at least a 3-year period starting in 2024 until 2027
Waived fees in excess of $5,000 for all license types
Expedited licensing review saving more than 3 months of wait-time
SEP Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, applicants must present evidence that qualifies them for one of the four following eligibility criteria:
Proof income does not exceed 400% of Area Median Income and that residency is in a Disproportionately Impacted Area (DIA)A drug conviction at any point in their life— this can be any drug conviction in any state. This is not limited to cannabis, and not limited to drug convictions that occurred within Massachusetts. SEP applicants must have resided anywhere in the state for the preceding 12 months.
The child, or spouse, of someone who experienced a drug conviction at any point in their life. This is not limited to cannabis, and not limited to drug convictions that occurred within Massachusetts. SEP applicants must have resided anywhere in the state for the preceding 12 months.
Any individual listed as an owner on the original certification of a Certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicant
Ready to Become a Licensed Cannabis Owner in Massachusetts?
There is still plenty of time to take advantage of the thriving Massachusetts cannabis market At Global Go, our dedicated team is committed to providing comprehensive support at every stage of the process. As an integral component of our Massachusetts licensing package, we extend our services a la carte, all designed to meet your specific needs. Global Go specializes in cannabis licensing and applications (99% win-rate over 300 applications), compliance automation, advanced analytics, SOPs, training, mergers and acquisitions, new product launches, technology, and best practices. Seize this opportunity and position yourself as a leader in the Massachusetts market by reaching out to a Global Go Application Director today!