All cannabis establishments seeking to apply for a final license must submit a social equity plan to Council for review and approval. In accordance with section 21a-420d(h)(5), the Council has developed specific criteria for an acceptable social equity plan. The resources below are made available to help cannabis establishments by providing clear metrics and scoring criteria, and providing applicants with templates for various parts of the social equity plan. All cannabis establishments must adhere to the criteria in the creation and implementation of their social equity plans. Social Equity Plans must be submitted to the Department of Consumer Protection through the e-License Platform.

The criteria will become effective on Tuesday, July 28, 2025.

Any questions regarding social equity plans can be directed to SEC.Plans@ct.gov.

SOCIAL EQUITY COUNCIL USEFUL LINKS

2023 DIA Map

The Social Equity Council voted on August 1, 2023 to recertify the DIA Map by approving the 2023 recommended disproportionately impacted areas.

The 2023 approved tracts have been published on the Connecticut Open Data Portal.

Meet the Coalition Partners

Minority Cannabis Business Association

Founded in 2015, the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) is the largest national trade association dedicated to minority cannabis businesses and their communities.
  • Reset 
    reSET is driven by the conviction that every business can consciously improve society.
  • Arcview 
    Group has over a decade of experience assisting thousands of cannabis operators.
  • Incba 
    Founded to serve the local, state, national, and international practice of cannabis law across the globe.

Erase Your Criminal History and Get a Fresh Start for Justice

It’s time to wipe the slate clean. Social justice, equity, and a fair shot at building a future matter in Connecticut. That’s why we’ve passed the Clean Slate bill for old and low-level criminal convictions. We also passed the Cannabis erasure laws to help wipe away criminal histories now that adult-use Cannabis is legal.

Your future doesn’t have to be limited because of mistakes made years or even decades ago.

MBE Vendor and Contractor List

The Social Equity Council has created the following list of organizations which provide technical assistance, access to capital and supportive services to Connecticut based MBE. Please contact these organizations for a list/referral to certified businesses that can provide a variety of professional services for cannabis business. Services include, but are not limited to, office supplies, information technology infrastructure, security, construction, general contracting, design, website design, graphic design, accounting, and cleaning services.


Anne Marie Knight
Executive Director
Black Business Alliance 
annemarie@bbusinessalliance.org
Welcome to the Black Business Alliance (bbusinessalliance.org)
Jennifer Little-Greer
Executive Director
Minority Construction Council (MCC) 
jlittle-greer@mccforct.org
Minority Construction Council - Advancing the cause of minority contractors (mccforct.org)
Kim Hawkins
President/CEO 
Hartford Economic Development Corporation (HEDCO) 
kimh@hedcoinc.com
Home - HEDCO Inc. CT’s Small Business Edge

Meg Yetishefsky
Program Manager 
Supplier Diversity Program (Set Aside Program) 
Meg.Yetishefsky@ct.gov

Supplier Diversity (ct.gov)

Tom McMillian
Director
203-395-0771 
The Minority Business Association and Center for Joint Ventures 
Tommfxa@sbcglobal.net
Minority Business Association And Center For Joint Ventures | Bridgeport CT | Facebook
Debra Goss
Director
CT Department of Transportation(CTDOT) – Office of Equity 
Debra.Goss@ct.gov 
Company Search (ct.gov)
Julio Mendoza
Executive Director
Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA) 
julio_mendoza@samact.org
SAMA – Spanish American Merchants Association: Welcome and Hello (samact.org)
Adam Wood
President
Connecticut Cannabis Chamber of Commerce 
adam@ctcannabischamber.org
Home | CT CANNABIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Fran Pastore
Chief Executive Officer
Woman’s Business Development Council 
fpastore@ctwbdc.org
ctwbdc.org
Kenyétta Banks
Program Manager 
kbanks@ctwbdc.org
ctwbdc.org