Social Equity

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is a Priority for the State of Colorado

The Marijuana Enforcement Division is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable cannabis industry in Colorado that acknowledges the effects of decades of criminal enforcement of marijuana laws on communities of color. As part of Colorado’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, the MED is focusing on outreach and engagement resources to support diversity initiatives in the cannabis industry. The MED's efforts aim to increase diversity in the number of Owner Licenses, which has less diverse representation in comparison to the number of Employee Licensees, so the industry is more reflective of Colorado’s demographics.

A person who meets the eligibility criteria for a Social Equity Licensee can participate in the Division’s “Accelerator Program” or may apply to independently own and operate a Regulated Marijuana Business license.

Thank you for joining us at the Social Equity Opportunities Conference on Nov. 5.

Social Equity Program Advisory Work Group

Please visit the Social Equity Program Advisory Work Group webpage.

What is the Accelerator Program?

The Accelerator Program allows individuals who may have faced barriers to entry in Colorado's retail (adult-use) regulated marijuana industry to own and operate a marijuana business license as part of an agreed-upon partnership with an existing marijuana business that has been endorsed by the MED as an “Accelerator-Endorsed Licensee." An Accelerator-Endorsed Licensee serves as the "host" in the accelerator program by providing capital and/or technical support to a Social Equity Licensee and allowing the Social Equity Licensee to operate as an Accelerator Store, Accelerator Manufacturer and Accelerator Cultivator on the same Licensed Premises or on a separate Licensed Premises provided by the Accelerator-Endorsed Licensee. Applications to participate in the accelerator program became available beginning January 1, 2021, and are linked below. For all rules pertaining to the accelerator program, please see MED's Permanent Rules.

Why should I apply?

The MED is prioritizing its outreach and education resources to support Social Equity Licensees by providing regulatory compliance assistance via educational bulletins, webinars, dedicated outreach, town-hall events and related forums.

Social Equity Licensees participating in the accelerator program receive technical compliance and/or capital assistance pursuant to an equity partnership agreement between the Accelerator-Endorsed Licensee and the Accelerator Licensee. Examples of the types of assistance an Accelerator-Endorsed Licensee can provide a Accelerator Licensee, including, but are not limited to:

Accounting
Business services (e.g. sales and marketing)
Financial or capital support
Information technology support
Regulatory compliance support

Accelerator-Endorsed Licensee benefits for participating in the program include:

Social Equity Leader Designation to indicate its leadership status
MED may consider a social equity leader designation as a mitigating factor when determining the initiation of administrative action or assessment of penalties for violations of the statutes or regulations
Compliance Assistance and Education Engagement with MED
Possible Application and License Fee Exemptions for a change of owner, change of location, or modification of premises, where such changes or modifications are directly related to its participation in the accelerator program

The State Licensing Authority will not deny an application for a Social Equity License or a related request for a Finding of Suitability on the sole basis of a marijuana conviction.

Additional questions? Reach out via MED Inquiry Form.

Am I eligible for the program?

Eligibility Criteria:
Social Equity License

Colorado resident

Has not previously owned an MJ Business that was subject to revocation

ONE of the following:

1. The Applicant resided for at least 15 years between the years 1980 and 2010 in a census tract designated by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade as an Opportunity Zone or designated as a "Disproportionate Impacted Area";

2. The Applicant or Applicant's parent, legal guardian, sibling, spouse, child, or minor in their guardianship was arrested for a marijuana offense, convicted of a marijuana offense, or was subject to civil asset forfeiture related to a marijuana investigation; or

3. The Applicant's household income in a year prior to application did not exceed 50% of the state median income as measured by the number of people who reside in the Applicant's household.

The Social Equity Licensee holds at least 51% ownership in the business

Learn more about the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)'s Opportunity Zones.

Social Equity Eligibility Tools

Unsure if you've resided in an Opportunity Zone or Disproportionate Impacted Area?
- The MED, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Safety and the Department of Local Affairs' State Demography Office, is providing this tool to assist prospective applicants who may qualify for a Social Equity License based on the above-noted "Opportunity Zone" or "Disproportionate Impacted Area" eligibility criterion:
  - Search by address for Opportunity Zone and/or Disproportionate Impacted Area
Unsure if you qualify for a Social Equity License based on the "Household Income" criterion?
- Use this Median Income Table (NEW for 2021) to identify the state where you (the applicant) resided in the year prior to your application and the number of individuals who resided in the applicant’s household. If your (the applicant’s) income in the year prior to application and as shown on your income tax return is less than the number shown in the column and row for your state of residence and household size, then you may qualify based on your household income.

Eligibility Criteria:
Accelerator Endorsed Licensee

The Applicant has not, in the previous two years, been subject to a license revocation or active suspension issued by the State Licensing Authority or any Local Licensing Authority or Local Jurisdiction in which it operated.

Has not previously owned an MJ Business that was subject to revocation

Information demonstrating the Applicant operated its license for at least two years prior to the date of application; or if the Applicant is unable to demonstrate operations for a period of at least two years it must satisfy at least one of the following:

1. The Applicant possesses a valid commercial marijuana license issued in another state and has operated such license for the preceding two years;

2. For the preceding two years the Applicant has participated in an accelerator, incubator or social equity program that may, but is not required to be, associated with the commercial marijuana industry;

3. The Applicant has at least two years of regulated cannabis industry experience at the managerial or executive level; or

4. The Applicant has at least two years of business experience in a highly regulated industry other than the marijuana industry.

How do I apply?

NOTICE: Applicants must FIRST submit a Finding of Suitability Application. Please do NOT submit any Regulated Marijuana Business License application (including for an Accelerator License) until you have submitted the suitability application and received approval as a Social Equity Licensee.

To apply for a license based on the “Social Equity Licensee” criteria established under section 44-10-308(4), C.R.S., you must determine whether you are (a) applying to own and operate a Regulated Marijuana Business License to participate in the Accelerator Program pursuant to section 44-10-203 C.R.S., or (b) whether you are applying to own and operate a Regulated Marijuana Business independently.

Participation in the Accelerator Program as a Social Equity Licensee:

Required Finding of Suitability: Applicants will need to submit a Natural Person Finding of Suitability Application in order to be issued an Owner’s License.
- Fingerprints are required with the submission of suitability applications. Prior to application submission, visit a Colorado State-Approved Third-Party Fingerprint Provider to have your fingerprints taken and include the fingerprint receipt with your application packet. Visit the Business Owner webpage for additional information.
Once your owner application is approved, you will need to submit a Regulated Marijuana Business Application. Please see the New Regulated Marijuana Business License webpage for more information.
- Accelerator Business Licenses: When submitting the business license application, applicants will need to identify which Accelerator License type they intend to operate as part of the Accelerator Program. Participation in the Accelerator Program is limited to Retail Marijuana operations only and may operate on the same premises as the Accelerator-Endorsed License or on a separate licensed premises provided by the Accelerator-Endorsed licensee. Accelerator license types available include:
  - Accelerator Cultivator: A Social Equity Licensee qualified to participate in the accelerator program and authorized to exercise the privileges of a Retail Marijuana Cultivation Facility on the premises of an Accelerator-Endorsed Retail Marijuana Cultivation Facility.
  - Accelerator Manufacturer: A Social Equity Licensee qualified to participate in the accelerator program and authorized to exercise the privileges of a Retail Marijuana Products Manufacturer on the premises of an Accelerator-Endorsed Retail Marijuana Products Manufacturer.
  - Accelerator Store: A Social Equity Licensee qualified to participate in the accelerator program and authorized to exercise the privileges of a Retail Marijuana Store on the premises of an Accelerator-Endorsed Retail Marijuana Store.
Required Accelerator-Endorsed Licensee: Prior to exercising any privileges of an Accelerator License, any person approved to participate in the Accelerator Program will first need to designate an Accelerator-Endorsed Licensee. An Accelerator Endorsed Licensee is a Retail Marijuana Cultivation Facility Licensee, Retail Marijuana Products Manufacturer Licensee, or a Retail Marijuana Store Licensee who has been endorsed to host and offer technical and capital support to a Social Equity Licensee; download the Accelerator-Endorsement Application.

Independent Operations as a Social Equity Licensee:

Required Finding of Suitability: Applicants will need to submit a Natural Person Finding of Suitability Application in order to be issued an Owner’s License. Visit the Regulated Marijuana Business Owner webpage for additional information and to access the Suitability application.
- Fingerprints are required with the submission of suitability applications. Prior to application submission, visit a Colorado State-Approved Third-Party Fingerprint Provider to have your fingerprints taken and include the fingerprint receipt with your application packet.
Regulated Marijuana Business Application: Once your owner application is approved you need to submit the Regulated Marijuana Business - Social Equity Program Application. Visit the Regulated Marijuana Business License webpage for more information.
- Business Licenses Available: When submitting the business application, applicants seeking to independently operate a Regulated Marijuana Business (outside of the Accelerator Program) may select from any of the Medical and Retail Marijuana Business licenses issued by the MED, subject to local licensing authority requirements, restrictions, and prohibitions.
  License Types Available:
  Colorado state statute authorizes the State Licensing Authority to issue the following Regulated Marijuana Business Licenses (Each facility is authorized to engage only in the type of activity for which it is licensed and as described in statute):
  - Medical Marijuana Store License allows the holder to operate a business that sells Medical Marijuana to Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry Patients and Transporting Caregivers, as described in 44-10-501C.R.S.
  - Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facility License allows the holder to operate a cultivation business to grow and harvest Medical Marijuana, as described in 44-10-502C.R.S.
  - Medical Marijuana Products Manufacturer License allows the holder to operate a business that produces Medical Marijuana Products such as edibles, concentrates or tinctures. These licensees are only authorized to wholesale their products to MED licensed Medical Marijuana Centers as described in 44-10-503 C.R.S.
  - Medical Marijuana Testing Facility License allows the holder to operate a facility that conducts potency and contaminants testing and research for MED Medical Marijuana business licenses as described in 44-10-504 C.R.S.
  - Medical Marijuana Transporter License allows the holder to provide transportation and temporary storage services to MED Licensed Medical Marijuana Businesses as described in 44-10-505 C.R.S.
  - Medical Marijuana Business Operator License allows the holder to provide professional operational services to one or more MED Licensed Medical Marijuana Businesses as described in 44-10-506 C.R.S.
  - Medical Marijuana Research and Development License allows the holder to grow, cultivate possess and transfer marijuana for use in research only as described in 44-10-507 C.R.S.
  - Retail Marijuana Store License allows the holder to operate a business that sells Retail Marijuana to an individual twenty-one years of age or older as described in 44-10-601 C.R.S.
  - Retail Marijuana Cultivation Facility License allows the holder to operate a facility to grow and harvest Retail Marijuana plants as described in 44-10-602 C.R.S.
  - Retail Marijuana Product Manufacturer License allows the holder to operate a facility that manufactures retail marijuana-infused products such as edibles, concentrates or tinctures as described in 44-10-603 C.R.S.
  - Retail Marijuana Testing Facility License allows the holder to operate a facility that conducts potency and contaminants testing for other MED Licensed Retail Marijuana businesses as described in 44-10-604 C.R.S.
  - Retail Marijuana Transporter License allows the holder to provide transportation and temporary storage services to Retail Marijuana Businesses as described in 44-10-605 C.R.S.
  - Retail Marijuana Operator License allows the holder to provide professional operational services to one or more Retail Marijuana Businesses as described in 44-10-606 C.R.S.
  - Retail Marijuana Accelerator Cultivator License allows the holder to operate a retail marijuana product manufacturing operation on the site of a retail marijuana products manufacturing facility with an accelerator endorsement as described in 44-10-607 C.R.S.
  - Retail Marijuana Accelerator Manufacture License allows the holder to operate a retail marijuana product manufacturing operation on the site of a retail marijuana product manufacturing facility with an accelerator endorsement as described in 44-10-608 C.R.S.
  - Marijuana Hospitality Business License allows the holder to operate a premise in which marijuana may be consumed as described in 44-10-609 C.R.S.
  - Retail Marijuana Hospitality and Sales Business License allow the holder to operate licensed premises within which marijuana may be sold and consumed as described in 44-10-610 C.R.S.

Current Accelerator Endorsed Licensees

Please use the MED's licensee look-up tool for a list of current accelerator endorsed licensees. Search "Accelerator Endorsement" under MED Facility Search.

Social Equity Resources

OEDIT's Cannabis Business Office

Social Equity Compliance Tools

Social Equity Rules Primer (11/30/22)
- Rules Primer Slide Deck (11/30/22)
Social Equity FAQ Resource for Prospective Licensees (5/27/22)
MED Industry Bulletin Social Equity FAQs (2/23/21)
- Visit our Compliance Tools webpage to access MED's latest Industry Bulletins and Compliance Tips

MED Town Hall: Understanding Colorado's Social Equity Program

Video Recording of the Event
MED Slide Deck
Denver Slide Deck
- Visit our MED Town Hall and Events webpage for information on Upcoming Town Halls and material from earlier events.
Additional resources, including Social Equity Program Webinars coming soon!

MED Demographic Information

MED Licensee Demographic Data

How Private Industry is Supporting Diversity Initiatives

Please note: The Marijuana Enforcement Division does not endorse specific licensed businesses for any purpose. The below directory is provided as a tool to assist licensees in their research and due diligence processes when considering working with other vendors or businesses. Please contact Casey Hilton (contact information below) if you think this directory is incomplete or inaccurate in any way.

Latest job postings in the marijuana industry
- If you have relevant job postings, please fill out this Job Postings Google Form*.
List of ancillary businesses supporting the marijuana industry
- If you are an ancillary business and have information you'd like to share, please use this Ancillary Business Google Form*.

*Please note: these Google Forms are monitored regularly and any inappropriate or offensive submissions will be deleted immediately.

Discounts for Social Equity Licensees

Do you offer discounts for social equity licensees? Please email Shannon.Gray@state.co.us to be listed here!

Legal Advice:
- Colorado Bar Association Cannabis Law Section Social Equity Pro Bono Program. Social equity licensees can speak with a cannabis attorney for free. Learn more on CBA's website.
Responsible Vendor Training:
- "The team at Cannabis Trainers™ has been offering the Sell-SMaRT™ Responsible Vendor Training program since 2014. This training is ideal for Dispensary, Social Consumption and Delivery teams. They’re committed to assisting and creating a more equitable future for cannabis industry. They provide scholarship (free!) and significantly discounted training exclusively for social equity license holders and their employees. Reach out to inquire about the training opportunities available for your team: Info@CannabisTrainers.com."
- "Konopé Compliance offers discounted Responsible Vendor Training for Social Equity Applicants and License Holders. In addition to Responsible Vendor Training, Konopé Compliance provides consulting services ranging from Standard Operating Procedures, Facility Compliance Audits, and management and strategy sessions utilizing considerable industry experience in the Colorado market."
- Green CulturED™ is an approved "Responsible Vendor Training Provider (#RV-0034)" by Colorado's Marijuana Enforcement Division. Through their Social Equity Program, Green CulturED provides discounts for licensed owner-operators and their employees who are required to complete "Responsible Vendor Training" annually for compliance. In addition to the core-RVT, Green CulturED is also an approved training provider by the Division to provide the "Delivery Supplement" training (required for businesses that do delivery services of marijuana to private residences) and "Hospitality Supplement" training (required for businesses that allow social use of marijuana on-premise).

Enabling Legislation

HB 20-1424: Social Equity Licenses in Regulated Marijuana
- Social Equity Program: Established a "Social Equity License", expanded on the Accelerator Program and provided rulemaking authority for the Department of Revenue to create and implement a social equity program administered by the MED. Also provided the Governor with expedited pardon authority for marijuana possession offenses.
SB 19-224: Sunset Regulated Marijuana
- Criminal History Prohibitions: Amended felony disqualifiers by reducing the original 5 and 10-year prohibition (5 years for any felony not involving a drug crime; 10 years for any drug-related felony) to a flat 3 years for any felony or while currently subject to a deferred judgment or sentence for a felony.
- Accelerator Program: Established new license types as part of an "Accelerator Program" to permit existing businesses to obtain an "endorsement" to host and provide capital and technical support to "accelerator" licensees.

Rulemaking Information Specific to Social Equity

Questions?

Please reach out to:
Casey Hilton, Senior Policy Advisor
casey.hilton@state.co.us

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