RECORD EXPUNGEMENT

We fund record-sealing clinics and lobby for the automatic expungement of low-level cannabis convictions.

Everyone deserves a fair shot at a second chance.

Individuals with criminal convictions are often barred from hundreds of jobs, and are similarly prohibited from receiving various social services, like health benefits, public housing, and food security assistance.

New York does not currently allow for the expungement of any criminal convictions, including marijuana-based offenses.

The state does allow certain convictions to be sealed (made unavailable to the public) after a 10-year long waiting period, but the process is less than ideal.

Sealing can be a lengthy, expensive, confusing process, and doesn’t give the same level of protection, clarity and peace of mind as an expungement procedure does.

Plus, studies also show that when expungement is not automatic (and instead entails burdensome ‘administrative costs’ like money, legal know-how and time), only a small percentage of those eligible actually receive one.

Those same studies show that the people who end up receiving expungements earn, on average, 25% more than they did before their expungement, and pose very little public safety risk.

So, in the short-term, we’re funding and hosting legal aid clinics.

However, our ultimate goal is the automatic expungement of low-level marijuana-related convictions.

We’re working with local governments, courts, community groups and tech companies to make this a reality.

EQUITABLE ENTERPRISES

We work with businesses and governments to create formal pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.

We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a cannabis industry that’s as focused on people as it is on profits.  

Given there are few rules, established interests or historical precedents when it comes to New York’s legal cannabis landscape, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shift public policies and corporate business practices when it matters most.

We’re seizing this moment to develop a consumer-based, equity-focused movement in the months leading up to legalization.

We execute awareness campaigns that educate the public on the need for—and benefits of—social equity in New York’s legal cannabis industry.

Our participatory campaigns mobilize the public to advocate for equity-first policies and encourage newly conscientious cannabis consumers to commit to supporting brands and businesses that share their values.

On the B2B side, we work with private businesses to help them develop corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs that fund equity-focused initiatives.

These programs can include financing the expungement of low-level marijuana convictions, developing formal pathways to employment for the formerly incarcerated, and financial investments in the entrepreneurs and communities most harmed by pot prohibition.

Businesses that demonstrate material support for and commitment to equity-focused initiatives are eligible for an Equitable Enterprise certification. The Equitable Enterprise seal makes it easy for citizens to buy from, work for and invest in businesses whose values align with their own.

THE CANNABIS MEDIA LAB

We teach New York entrepreneurs the skills they need to create and grow equitable businesses in the cannabis industry.

Helping build a diverse and equitable cannabis business community in New York State.

We’ve partnered with Marino—a full-service strategic communications firm—and High NY—one of New York’s leading cannabis events and educational platforms—to launch the Cannabis Media Lab, a business and media training program for cannabis entrepreneurs.

The Cannabis Media Lab will help fledging entrepreneurs develop the skills they need to create and grow successful, sustainable and socially-responsible businesses in the cannabis industry.

The 6-week program focuses on business development, with a concentration on media strategy, storytelling, social equity education and brand marketing. 

The pilot program is free for selected participants. Interested in learning more? Please visit the Cannabis Media Lab’s website.  

THE ACCELERATOR

We invest in impacted individuals, communities and opportunities. 

Part incubator, part co-founder, The Equity Accelerator invests in a diverse set of entrepreneurs whose lives and/or communities have been disproportionally harmed by the War on Drugs.

The Accelerator gives these exceptional individuals hands-on support as they concept and build sustainable businesses adjacent to the legal cannabis industry. 

We also work with local governments, industry leaders and investors to provide financial, operational, legal and regulatory assistance to these early stage organizations as they’re getting their companies off the ground.