Michigan Launches New Social Equity Grant Program for Marijuana Businesses The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) has announced the launch of a new social equity grant program that will award $1 million to eligible marijuana businesses. The program is designed to help social equity businesses start, expand, or improve their operations. Eligibility for the grant program: To be eligible for the grant program, businesses must be majority-owned by individuals who have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. This includes individuals who have been convicted of marijuana-related offenses, lived in a disproportionately impacted community, or have a parent or guardian who has been convicted of a marijuana-related offense. Grant funding: The grants will be awarded in amounts of up to $25,000. Businesses can use the grant funding for a variety of purposes, including: Business start-up costs Inventory Equipment Training Marketing Community reinvestment Application process: The application period for the grant program is now open. Businesses can apply online at the CRA website. Goals of the grant program: The goal of the grant program is to help social equity businesses succeed in the Michigan marijuana industry. The program is also designed to promote community reinvestment in areas that have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. Impact of the grant program: The grant program is expected to have a positive impact on the Michigan marijuana industry. By helping social equity businesses succeed, the program will promote diversity and inclusion in the industry. The program will also help to revitalize communities that have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. Additional details: The deadline to apply for the grant program is December 31, 2023. For more information about the grant program, please visit the CRA website.

The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) has indeed launched a new social equity grant program aimed at supporting eligible marijuana businesses¹. The program will distribute $1 million in grants to help social equity businesses start, expand, or improve their operations¹.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Businesses must be majority-owned by individuals who have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement¹.
• This includes individuals with marijuana-related convictions, those who have lived in disproportionately impacted communities, or those with a parent or guardian convicted of a marijuana-related offense¹.

Grant Funding:

• Grants will be awarded in amounts of up to $25,000¹.
• Funds can be used for business start-up costs, inventory, equipment, training, marketing, and community reinvestment¹.

Application Process:

• The application period is currently open, and businesses can apply online through the CRA website¹.

Goals of the Program:

• The program aims to help social equity businesses thrive in the Michigan marijuana industry and to promote community reinvestment in areas affected by marijuana prohibition and enforcement¹.

Impact of the Program:

• The grant program is expected to positively impact the Michigan marijuana industry by promoting diversity, inclusion, and revitalization of communities¹.

Additional Details:

• The deadline to apply for the grant program is January 26, 2024, at 5:00 pm¹.
• For more information, applicants can visit the CRA website¹.

This initiative represents a significant effort to address the historical impact of marijuana prohibition on certain communities and to ensure equitable opportunities within the cannabis industry in Michigan¹.

Learn more:

1. michigan.gov2. michigan.gov3. marijuanamoment.net