Tier 1 – Pre-Licensed Cannabis Businesses

Eligible Applicants:  Pre-Licensed Cannabis Businesses (defined as a duly organized business entity in good standing and located in Massachusetts with a majority ownership comprised of individuals that are Economic Empowerment Priority Applicants or Social Equity Program Participants, without a provisional or final license from the CCC, that intends to apply to the CCC for licensure).   

Description of Support: Applicants may request funds for future expenses to support entry into the regulated cannabis industry 

Maximum Grant Size: $25,000   

Allowable Use of Funds:  

Professional Fees – Payments to third-party vendors providing contracted professional services such as consulting, accounting, or legal fees for document and application preparation, feasibility and market studies, etc.  

Facility Fees – Lease/mortgage payments or utilities (e.g. waste management, water, electric, gas); 

Regulatory and Compliance Fees – Permitting and site assessment; bank fees to establish or maintain financial accounts for the applicant business; licensing or regulatory fees that support license application preparation.

Please Note:

All applications are due on December 11, 2025 by 11:59pm.

Program materials, including a copy of the FY26 NOFA are available online at Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund | Mass.gov

Application Template

Click here to view the Tier 1 Application Template

Tier 2 – Pending Provisional Licensees

The Tier 2 application is for Pending Provisional Licensees, defined as a business that has submitted a Marijuana Establishment or Medical Marijuana Treatment Center license application to the Cannabis Control Commission (“CCC”), received notice from the CCC the application is deemed complete (*or will receive), and is awaiting provisional license approval. Pending Provisional Licensees may request up to $50,000 in funding for past or future expenses that support the acquisition of a provisional license.
 

*A business that has submitted a Marijuana Establishment or Medical Marijuana Treatment Center license application to the CCC but has not yet received notice their application is deemed complete may apply for grant funds. Such applicants must submit notice from the CCC that the license application was received as part of their application for grant funds. All grant awards are conditioned upon receiving notice from the CCC that the license application is deemed complete.

Allowable Use of Funds: Applicants may request funds for the following types of past or future expenses that support the acquisition of a provisional license: 

Professional Fees – Payments to third-party vendors providing contracted professional services such as      legal, accounting, architectural, consulting, point of sale providers, etc.  

Facility Fees – Lease/mortgage payments or utilities (e.g. waste management, water, electric, gas), etc.;  

Regulatory and Compliance Fees – Permitting and site assessment; bank fees to establish or maintain      financial accounts for applicant business; licensing or regulatory fees that support license application.
 

Please Note:

All applications are due on December 11, 2025 by 11:59pm.

Program materials, including a copy of the FY26 NOFA are available online at Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund | Mass.gov

Application Template

Click here to view the Tier 2 Application Template

Tier 3 – Support for License Acquisition and Commencement of Business Operations

Eligible Applicants: Applicants with a Provisional License or Final License without a notice to commence operations from the CCC. 

Description of Support: Applicants may request funds for past and future expenses that directly support the acquisition of final licensure or commencement of business operations. 

 
Maximum Grant Size: $200,000

Allowable Use of Funds: 

Professional Fees – Payments to third-party vendors providing contracted professional services such as legal, accounting, architectural, consulting, point of sale providers, etc.;  

Facility Fees – Lease/mortgage payments and utilities (e.g. waste management, water, electric, gas);  

Regulatory Fees – Application, permitting, licensing (certain exclusions apply – see limitations of funds) and other regulatory fees needed for licensure;  

Debt Service – Loan repayments or business debt service, both principal and interest, for allowable use of funds; 

Equipment Capital Expenses – Purchase and installation of equipment from third-party vendors that is necessary for cannabis establishment operations (e.g., growing/manufacturing machinery, packaging machinery); 

Facility Capital Expenses – Construction, renovation or build-out of facility; security and building systems, including installation and maintenance (e.g. HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.). Eligible facility capital expenses must be performed or purchased by third-party contractors/vendors – costs related to self-construction are ineligible;  

Business Related Insurance Fees (excluding any insurance related to payroll costs) 

Delinquent Massachusetts Department of Revenue Taxes;  

Vehicle Expenses (up to $25,000) – Expenses to lease or purchase vehicles used to distribute, transport or deliver marijuana or marijuana products or to outfit such vehicles with security and compliance equipment required by the CCC (e.g. cameras, GPS Tracking devices, lock boxes, or other safety features necessary for compliant operations). Vehicle expenses are limited to businesses with a delivery or transporter license from the CCC.
 

Please Note:

All applications are due on December 11, 2025 by 11:59pm.

Program materials, including a copy of the FY26 NOFA are available online at Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund | Mass.gov

Application Template

Click here to view the Tier 3 Application Template

Tier 4 – Existing Business Support 

Eligible Applicants: Applicants with a Final License that have received notice to commence operations from the CCC.  

Description of Support: Applicants may request funds for past and future expenses that directly support the continuation of business operations or to improve or expand the business.  

Maximum Grant Size: $300,000  
 

Allowable Use of Funds: 

Personnel Expenses (up to $50,000) – Business payroll expenses, including fringe benefits and payroll tax contributions, for W-2 employees;  

Professional Fees – Payments to third-party vendors providing contracted professional services such as legal, accounting, architectural, consulting, marketing/advertising, point of sale providers, website hosting, etc.;  

Facility Fees – Lease/mortgage payments and utilities (e.g. waste management, water, electric, gas);  

Regulatory Fees - Application, permitting, licensing (certain exclusions apply – see limitations of funds) and other regulatory fees needed for licensure;  

Debt Service – Loan repayments or business debt service, both principal and interest, for allowable use of funds; 

Equipment Capital Expenses – Purchase and installation of equipment from third-party vendors that is necessary for cannabis establishment operations (e.g., growing/manufacturing machinery, packaging machinery);

Facility Capital Expenses – Construction, renovation or build-out of facility; security and building systems, including installation and maintenance (e.g. HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.); Eligible facility capital expenses must be performed or purchased by third-party contractors/vendors – costs related to self-construction are ineligible 

Business Related Insurance Fees (excluding any insurance related to payroll costs) 

Delinquent Massachusetts Department of Revenue Taxes 

Vehicle Expenses (up to $25,000) – Expenses to lease or purchase vehicles used to distribute, transport or deliver marijuana or marijuana products or to outfit such vehicles with security and compliance equipment required by the CCC (e.g. cameras, GPS Tracking devices, lock boxes, or other safety features necessary for compliant operations). Vehicle expenses are limited to businesses with a delivery or transporter license from the CCC. 

Please Note:

All applications are due on December 11, 2025 by 11:59pm.

Program materials, including a copy of the FY26 NOFA are available online at Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund | Mass.gov

Application Template

Click here to view the Tier 4 Application Template