Massachusetts FY26 Cannabis Social Equity Grant Program Now Accepting Applications Through December 11, 2025

By David Ullian

Nov 10, 2025

Massachusetts is once again investing in its entrepreneurs from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition and enforcement. Through the FY26 Social Equity Grant Program, non-repayable state grants will be made available to help eligible Social Equity Program participants and Economic Empowerment applicants launch, stabilize, and grow their cannabis businesses.

The program supports both licensed and pre-licensed cannabis entrepreneurs, including both adult-use Marijuana Establishments (MEs) and Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MTCs) licensed by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC).

The initiative is designed to address financial barriers that have historically limited access to capital for social equity cannabis businesses and to promote diverse ownership within the Commonwealth’s regulated cannabis industry.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a grant, an applicant must be a duly organized business entity in good standing and located in Massachusetts that:

1. Is designated by the CCC as an Economic Empowerment Priority Applicant;
2. Has a majority ownership comprised of individuals who are CCC-certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicants; or
3. Has a majority ownership comprised of individuals who are CCC-certified Social Equity Program Participants.

Applicants should carefully review the FY26 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for full eligibility and documentation requirements.

How to Apply

Applications for the FY26 Social Equity Grant Program opened on October 31, 2025, and must be submitted by 11:59 PM on December 11, 2025.

Applicants must complete and submit their applications through the CSETF’s online Submittable portal.

For technical or program-specific questions, applicants can email CannabisEquityFund@mass.gov.

Why This Matters for Massachusetts Cannabis Operators

Access to capital continues to be one of the greatest challenges for cannabis entrepreneurs, particularly those from communities disproportionately impacted by prohibition. The CSETF, established by the state Legislature in 2022, helps bridge that gap by providing financial assistance that empowers local operators to grow sustainably.

Through this year’s Social Equity Grant Program, the Commonwealth continues to advance its equity mission by reducing financial barriers for early-stage and small cannabis businesses, encouraging local ownership and participation in the Massachusetts cannabis market, and strengthening the state’s economic and social equity goals within the regulated cannabis industry.

The previous FY25 Social Equity Grant Program awarded more than $26.5 million in grant funding to 181 social equity businesses across the Commonwealth, with grants ranging from $25,000 to $500,000, depending on the business stage and license status.

How Vicente LLP Can Help

Vicente LLP’s Massachusetts cannabis attorneys have extensive experience assisting clients in navigating corporate, regulatory, licensing, municipal permitting, and compliance matters throughout the Commonwealth. Our team has advised numerous businesses, including Social Equity and Economic Empowerment applicants, from the earliest stages of business formation through full licensure and ongoing operations.

For the FY26 Social Equity Grant Program, we can assist clients by reviewing eligibility and preparing application documentation, navigating CCC licensing requirements and compliance filings, structuring ownership and governance to meet equity criteria, and developing business strategies aligned with grant objectives.

If your cannabis business is considering applying and has questions or needs assistance with the FY26 Social Equity Grant Program application, contact us at boston@vicentellp.com or call 617-934-2121. 

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