When Gov. Ned Lamont signed Connecticut’s adult use cannabis law in 2021, he praised the bill for its emphasis on social equity. The law established a council.
The Hartford Cannabis Company, with a business address of 37 Alden St., filed a petition for administrative appeal in Hartford Superior Court on July 22, alleging the Social Equity Council (SEC) was incorrect in its determination that it did not meet the criteria to qualify as a social equity applicant for a disproportionately impacted area cultivator license. The company’s president and social equity partner is Gloribel Diaz, according to the complaint.
The Social Equity Council Tuesday morning approved social equity status for 16 cannabis cultivation applicants hoping to grow marijuana in their respective cities.
After 41 social equity applicants submitted paperwork for disproportionately impacted area cultivation licenses, 16 businesses had their social equity status approved by the SEC and 25 were recommended for denial based on not meeting the income and residency threshold or ownership and control requirements.
The Social Equity Council will forward 16 applications to the state Department of Consumer Protection for a background check. It received 41. Applicants will be identified after DCP approval.