Here at Major Bloom, we are steadfastly dedicated to promoting social justice and community engagement. As an economic empowerment establishment, our mission is to serve and uplift both those on our staff and in the Worcester neighborhood who have been disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs, the takedown of cannabis, and the demonization of those who enjoy its effects. A large part of this movement is in collaborating with fellow businesses with similar goals, building strength in numbers. The conversation to be had about the future of equitable cannabis is ongoing, which is why we have decided to be a grounding force in its midst.
On Saturday, May 3rd, Major Bloom is hosting Community in Bloom, a Social Equity & Expungement Forum at Electric Haze on Millbury St. The event will take place between 12-4 pm and is free to the public. It will kick off with a presentation on expungements, breaking down the ins and outs of getting cannabis charges permanently removed from one’s record. We have the pleasure of hosting lawyer Ed Howard from Bonville & Howard, P.C. in Fitchburg, MA. He will be articulating what the process of expungement looks like and offering his services to community members who are looking for help. There will also be an opportunity to learn about Worcester’s Community Legal Aid and what services they offer. Major Bloom will aid attendees looking to go through the process of expungement, offering support and covering legal fees*.
The second half of the event will feature a panel of hand-selected cannabis business owners and operators from across Western Massachusetts. The majority of these individuals hold Social Equity licenses through the Cannabis Control Commission. This list includes Blake Mensing from Firebrand Cannabis, Damaris Aponte from Blossom Flower Cannabis, and Payton Shubrick from 6 Bricks Cannabis Dispensary, and Major Bloom’s very own Ulysses Youngblood. The panel will spark conversation around community engagement, and defining and transforming what equity looks like within the cannabis space.
Lunch will be provided midway through the event. There will be an opportunity to browse a few tables that feature other social equity entrepreneurs and businesses dedicated to social good that exist around the Worcester area. Our goal is to educate and uplift, cultivating a space where people from all walks of life can come together to support one another. We are incredibly excited for the opportunity to host such an event that looks to inspire the future of what equitable cannabis, and in turn a more equitable world, can look like.
*Fee coverage is on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum payout of $200 per person for up to 5 people.
By Rachel Smith
