A new report from the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission shows that racial disparities persist at the senior leadership level in the state’s marijuana industry. Despite mandates aimed at increasing diversity, white individuals still dominate top positions, highlighting a gap between policy and reality.
Report Exposes Leadership Disparities
The findings, presented on February 25 by Julie Johnson, the commission’s head of research, paint a stark picture. White professionals occupy 77% of senior-level positions, while Hispanic, Black, and Asian professionals each hold just 4% to 5% of these roles.
Though this marks some progress from the last report in 2020—when white individuals made up 84% of senior leadership—these numbers still fail to reflect Massachusetts’s broader demographic. Census data from 2023 shows that the state is 69.6% white, 9.5% Black, 7.7% Asian, and 13.1% Hispanic or Latino.
Senior leadership roles in the industry include board members, executives, directors, and managers. These positions control hiring, investment decisions, and business strategy—meaning a lack of diversity at this level has long-term consequences for inclusion in the industry.
Barriers to Entry Persist
The promise of cannabis legalization in Massachusetts was to provide opportunities for communities disproportionately affected by the war on drugs. Yet, systemic barriers continue to prevent full participation.
- Criminal records: Individuals with prior drug convictions often face difficulties securing employment, limiting their ability to rise to leadership positions.
- Lack of capital: Many aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds struggle to access the funding needed to start or grow businesses.
- Social networks: The industry remains dominated by those with existing business connections, making it harder for newcomers to break in.
Ryan Dominguez, head of the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, acknowledges that progress has been slow. “If our stated goal was to ensure that the folks who were affected were supposed to get first access to this industry, then yeah, we could do better,” he said. “There is definitely always room for improvement.”
Legalization Promises vs. Reality
When Massachusetts voters approved recreational marijuana, they did so with the understanding that equity would be a core principle of the industry. The Cannabis Control Commission was tasked with ensuring that communities harmed by prohibition would benefit from legalization.
However, despite efforts such as the state’s Social Equity Program, the data suggests that progress has been incremental at best. The program offers training and resources to help individuals from affected communities enter the cannabis industry, but many participants struggle to secure licenses or funding.
| Year Reported | White Leadership % | Black Leadership % | Hispanic Leadership % | Asian Leadership % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 84% | 4% | 3% | N/A |
| 2024 | 77% | 5% | 4% | 5% |
While the decline in white leadership representation shows some movement, the numbers remain far from equitable.
What’s Next for the Industry?
The Cannabis Control Commission is expected to take the report’s findings into account when shaping future policies. There are growing calls for stronger enforcement of equity rules, as well as financial incentives for businesses that prioritize diversity in hiring.
Advocates argue that more aggressive measures—such as prioritizing licenses for minority-owned businesses and expanding grant programs—are needed to level the playing field. Without meaningful action, the industry risks remaining out of reach for those it was supposed to uplift.
The fight for equity in Massachusetts’s cannabis industry is far from over. And for those still waiting for a fair shot, patience is wearing thin.
