--- title: "MA GUIDANCE: CREATING AN EQUITABLE INDUSTRY" description: The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission published Guidance on Equitable Cannabis Policies   for Municipalities, which contains recommendations on how municipalities can create an equitable marijuana industry.  The guidance is intended to help municipalities develop cannabis policies that are aligned with the Social Equity program, and promote an equitable and meaningful participation of persons dispproportionately affected by the […] image: https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66525ec138843cc1ccb1c325/68c301ebaa36be33aa2af8f7_1a3f16114a452999cc4d7d6b36ae1602_Obedio%20march%20of%20progress.png --- [Skip to content](https://hs.getobedio.com/blog/2018/08/23/2018-8-23-ma-guidance-creating-an-equitable-industry#main-content) [![Obedio logo with black text and an orange graphic composed of four circles and a diagonal arrow pointing up and right.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66525ec138843cc1ccb1c325/66529844eddaa630d6da1b42_obedio%20gold%20for%20white%20background.png)](https://getobedio.com) [Team](https://www.getobedio.com/team) [Pricing](https://www.getobedio.com/pricing) [Contact](https://www.getobedio.com/demo) [Blog](https://www.getobedio.com/blog) [Login](https://obed.io/v4/login) Massachusetts Guidance # MA GUIDANCE: CREATING AN EQUITABLE INDUSTRY ![Susan Ameel](https://7528315.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528315/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-cms-elevate-theme_hubspot/elevate/images/avatar-placeholder.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=avatar-placeholder.jpg) Susan Ameel August 23, 2018 The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission published Guidance on Equitable Cannabis Policies   for Municipalities, which contains recommendations on how municipalities can create an equitable marijuana industry.  The guidance is intended to help municipalities develop cannabis policies that are aligned with the Social Equity program, and promote an equitable and meaningful participation of persons dispproportionately affected by the enforcement of previous cannabis laws.  State law also provides the Commission with the authority to take remedial measures against a municipality if there is evidence of discrimination or barriers to entry in the regulated cannabis industry. Massachusetts’ recommendations for creating an equitable cannabis industry include: - Allow various types of businesses:  Communities should consider allowing different types of license types that meet the strategic goals for the community.  For example, micro businesses and craft cooperatives promote small businesses. - Consider whether caps are necessary:  Offering limited cannabis business licenses in commercial parts of town prevents opportunities for small businesses.   - Zoning:  Communities should consider carefully whether to expand the 500 feet buffer around schools. - Host community agreements:  Clearly identify the licenses, permits and the process for operating a marijuana business. - Selection process:  Institute an objective, transparent selection process that prioritizes review for state-designated economic empowerment applicants. Municipalities should consider instituting preferences for state- designated Social Equity Program participants, or applications from companies owned by marginalized groups. A municipality should evaluate all applicant’s diversity plan and understand how the impact will have a positive impact on communities that have been disproportionately harmed by the enforcement of previous cannabis laws. ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fhs.getobedio.com%2Fblog%2F2018%2F08%2F23%2F2018-8-23-ma-guidance-creating-an-equitable-industry](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fhs.getobedio.com%2Fblog%2F2018%2F08%2F23%2F2018-8-23-ma-guidance-creating-an-equitable-industry) ## Keep reading ### [California Ballot Measure Local Municipalities California voters will decide 118 local tax measures and $8.07 billion in bond requests on November 3](https://hs.getobedio.com/blog/california-voters-will-decide-118-local-tax-measures-and-8.07-billion-in-bond-requests-on-november-3) ### [Local Ordinance Zoning Ordinance Development Data Federal Realty Asks La Mesa to Approve a 165,000-Square-Foot Bass Pro Shops Where Macy's Stood at Grossmont Center](https://hs.getobedio.com/blog/federal-realty-asks-la-mesa-to-approve-a-165000-square-foot-bass-pro-shops-where-macys-stood-at-grossmont-center) [![Obedio your municipal data source](https://hs.getobedio.com/hs-fs/hubfs/google%20workspace-1.png?width=100&height=41&name=google%20workspace-1.png "Obedio your municipal data source")](https://getobedio.com) Obedio's business intelligence platform provides data and insights from over 25,000 municipalities, enabling retail, manufacturing, finance, real estate, and government clients to make informed decisions, assess risk, and identify opportunities. **Data Source & Liability Disclaimer:** The data presented on this website is aggregated from various official government and public entities ("The Original Government Sources"). This data may have been modified for use from its original source. The Original Government Sources do not vouch for the quality, accuracy, or timeliness of the data as presented here. All data is provided "as is." Neither Global Regulatory Risk Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Obedio) nor The Original Government Sources make any representations or warranties as to the completeness, accuracy, or content of any data made available through this site. All warranties, whether express or implied, including implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, are expressly disclaimed. **Usage & Intellectual Property:** While the underlying facts are public records, the specific compilation, organization, and presentation of this information are proprietary to ****Global Regulatory Risk Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Obedio)****. Any unauthorized copying, distribution, or display of this proprietary presentation is prohibited. Copyright © 2018–2026 Global Regulatory Risk Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Obedio) [|](https://getobedio.com/privacy)[Terms of Service](https://getobedio.com/terms)[|](https://getobedio.com/privacy)[Privacy Policy](https://getobedio.com/privacy) Privacy Policy · Legal · © 2025. All rights reserved. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Susan Ameel", "url" : "https://hs.getobedio.com/blog/author/susan-ameel" }, "dateModified" : "2025-02-28T01:28:47.365Z", "datePublished" : "2018-08-23T18:31:00.000Z", "headline" : "MA GUIDANCE: CREATING AN EQUITABLE INDUSTRY", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://hs.getobedio.com/blog/2018/08/23/2018-8-23-ma-guidance-creating-an-equitable-industry", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://hs.getobedio.com/hubfs/google%20workspace-1.png" } } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://hs.getobedio.com/blog/2018/08/23/2018-8-23-ma-guidance-creating-an-equitable-industry#breadcrumb", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.getobedio.com/", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://hs.getobedio.com/blog", "name" : "Blog", "position" : 2 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://hs.getobedio.com/blog/2018/08/23/2018-8-23-ma-guidance-creating-an-equitable-industry", "name" : "MA GUIDANCE: CREATING AN EQUITABLE INDUSTRY", "position" : 3 } ] } ```