Arizona voters are not happy with the result of their state’s Social Equity Ownership Program – claiming it’s doing the “exact opposite” of what they hoped for minority-owned businesses. Cronkite News turned to Partner Gary Smith for his expert opinion on what went wrong, and why.
As the President and Founder of the Arizona Cannabis Bar Association, Gary frequently deals with regulation, application, cultivation and zoning issues. Gary tells the news outlet the state gave too few parameters and didn’t invest a lot of energy into establishing a well-defined social equity program – an example being the Arizona Department of Health Services’ handling of awarding social equity dispensary licenses.
Gary Smith is a leading cannabis attorney in Arizona who frequently shares insights for industry publications and organizations as well as national and Arizona media. As a seasoned litigator, advisor, mediator and arbitrator, he assists cannabis clients in uncovering opportunities, overcoming challenges and navigating the cannabis industry’s complex legal landscape. Gary consistently advocates for cannabis policy progress and mentors fellow Arizona lawyers in cannabis-related matters through ethical education and networking initiatives.
Read the full article for more insights on Arizona’s Social Equity Ownership Program.