Five US States Taking Different Approaches to Cannabis Social Equity, With Mixed Results | Research

The takeaway

Analysis of cannabis social equity programs in Colorado, Washington, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Missouri found varied approaches to expungements, business assistance, and revenue allocation, with limited evidence of effectiveness.

cannabis policymakers, social equity advocates, state legislators, criminal justice reform researchers

What the researchers found

Colorado, Washington, and Massachusetts implemented pardons while Connecticut and Missouri implemented expungement. All states reserved some licenses for social equity applicants and offered training programs, but eligibility criteria, financial support, and tax structures varied significantly. Revenue allocation across states funded program costs, general funds, and education/health initiatives differently.

Why it matters

Cannabis legalization was partly justified by correcting racial disparities in enforcement. These case studies reveal that while states are making efforts, the varied approaches and lack of evaluation make it unclear whether social equity goals are being achieved.

The numbers in context

5 states analyzed: CO, WA, MA, CT, MO. 3 used pardons, 2 used expungement. All reserved some licenses for SE applicants. Varied tax structures (retail sales vs. excise). Revenue directed to program costs, general fund, health/education.

How the study worked

Case study analysis of 5 states using a drug policy framework. Two researchers dual-coded cannabis-related social equity policies on expungements/pardons, entrepreneurship assistance, and revenue allocation as of December 2024.

What this study cannot tell us

Policy analysis only, no outcome data on whether equity goals are being met. Policies documented as of December 2024 may have changed. Cannot assess implementation quality vs. policy on paper. Five states may not represent all approaches.

How to read the evidence

Systematic policy analysis with dual coding, but descriptive only without outcome evaluation limits to moderate.

When this study was published

Policies documented as of December 2024.

The bigger picture

The variation across states provides a natural experiment for evaluating which social equity approaches are most effective, but the limited evidence base means policymakers are largely operating without proven models.

Questions still open

Which social equity model produces the best outcomes for affected communities?
How many social equity licensees have become financially successful businesses?

Common questions

What is cannabis social equity?

Programs designed to address the disproportionate impact of cannabis criminalization on communities of color, including criminal record clearing, business licensing assistance, and community investment from cannabis tax revenue.

Are these programs working?

The study documents what states are doing but notes that limited evidence exists on whether these programs are achieving their equity goals. Ongoing evaluation across states is needed.

Read the original research

Cannabis Social Equity Initiatives Across 5 US States Case Studies of Colorado, Washington, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Missouri.

Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP, 31(6), E315-E329

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Speer, Morgan; Chakraborty, Rishika; Yang, Y Tony; LoParco, Cassidy R; Berg, Carla J. (2025). Cannabis Social Equity Initiatives Across 5 US States Case Studies of Colorado, Washington, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Missouri.. Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP, 31(6), E315-E329. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000002191