The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) announced the first approved gold qualifier, Pharmhouse Wellness, through the Social Equity All-Star Program, a new initiative encouraging cannabis industry licensees to include proactive diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) campaigns.
The CRA has also revealed the first 20 bronze qualifiers through the program, outlining the development, publishing, and implementation of social equity plans, corporate spend plans, and community reinvestment plans.
“Pharmhouse Wellness has done a tremendous job with their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, as well as their strong community reinvestment,” CRA Executive Director Andrew Brisbo said. “Our 20 new bronze qualifiers also have shown a commitment to invest time and money in initiatives to help those who were disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition. This new recognition program acknowledges the important work our licensees are doing in the social equity space, and I’m excited to see it continue to grow.”
Social Equity All-Star Program participation is incentivized through state-issued bronze, silver, and gold social equity seals that are slated to be used as identifiers in a tiered recognition system to recognize licensees’ social equity involvement, per authorities.