A stronger cannabis sector begins with equity-focused legislation, industry collaboration
When I first created Best Dirty Lemonade, it wasn’t with business in mind, it was personal. My mother had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, and I was desperate to help ease her symptoms. I experimented with cannabis-infused drinks as a natural way to provide her relief. What began in my kitchen out of love and necessity evolved into something bigger than I could have imagined.
Fast forward a few years, and Best Dirty Lemonade is now an award-winning brand on shelves at NETA stores across Massachusetts. Our latest Blue Raspberry flavor just launched, and I’m proud of what we’ve built, but I’m also reminded daily that this path isn’t easy, especially for minority entrepreneurs like me.
I’ve navigated legacy market stigmas, financing hurdles and regulatory red tape. And while Massachusetts has made impressive strides in supporting equity-owned cannabis businesses, we still have a long way to go. Fortunately, several bills currently moving through the Massachusetts Legislature could be game changers, not just for me, but for hundreds of other entrepreneurs and employees in the cannabis space.
H.183 would double the legal limit of cannabis an adult can purchase and possess. Not only would this be a win for consumers, but it would also be a boom for businesses. This would translate to higher volume sales for retailers and more tax revenue, while also providing convenience for consumers who prefer to stock up. We need policy that reflects how people actually use cannabis and how businesses can meet that demand responsibly.
We can also do more to cut red tape. Right now, cannabis workers in Massachusetts need a separate ID badge for every licensed facility they work at, even if they’ve already passed background checks. S.80 would change that. The current slow, expensive and redundant process is in need of a streamline. For small business owners, these delays make it difficult to hire qualified people quickly. This bill would allow for a single, portable agent registration that an individual can carry across different cannabis employers, instead of requiring one per establishment. It’s a simple fix with powerful implications, especially for equity-focused operations that don’t have large HR departments or legal teams to handle bureaucratic delays.
Finally, H.172 will go a long way to foster a diverse market by expanding access to cannabis beverage products. Similar to H.183, which increases purchase limits for flower and other products, this bill is about aligning policy with real-world consumer behavior.
Under current regulations, cannabis drinks are limited to just 5 milligrams of THC per serving, far below what many consumers want or expect, especially for a product that’s meant to be sipped like a cocktail or shared socially. Consumers often feel the effects are too mild or require purchasing multiple units just to reach a satisfying dose, which drives up cost and discourages repeat purchases.H.172 would increase the legal THC limit for beverages to 10 milligrams per serving, bringing Massachusetts in line with other adult-use states and allowing products like mine to be sold in formats that customers actually demand.
For small businesses like mine, the current cap has had a chilling effect on sales. Lower-dose restrictions have disproportionately impacted smaller, equity-owned businesses that can’t afford to experiment endlessly with product formulations that ultimately underperform at retail. Increasing the legal dose per beverage levels the playing field while making space for innovation and consumer preference.
These legislative efforts aren’t just policy proposals, they are lifelines. They represent a more inclusive, more functional cannabis industry.
In addition to public policy support, industry participation is equally vital. In 2022, I had the opportunity to join the first-ever BCB Mastermind CEO Intensive in Boston, which is a hands-on mentorship initiative backed by Parallel, the parent company of NETA. This experience played a pivotal role in evolving my brand from a personal endeavor into a successful business venture. It ultimately led to the partnership with NETA, making it possible to distribute my products in their retail locations throughout Massachusetts.
The BCB Mastermind has since empowered hundreds of minority-owned cannabis businesses by hosting their CEO Intensives around the country. The insights, mentorship and relationships I gained through the program have been crucial to my company’s development.
Looking ahead, it’s critical that we push for both policy improvements and continued engagement from within the cannabis industry.
Let’s support legislation that supports real people. Let’s streamline unnecessary red tape, modernize our laws to reflect consumer needs and help foster a more diverse market. Let’s continue to lift up programs like the BCB Mastermind, which demonstrate the power of collaboration, as well as those leaders who are stepping up to mentor and champion emerging entrepreneurs. These kinds of efforts not only help individual businesses thrive, but also build a stronger, more resilient and diverse cannabis economy overall.
Although significant progress has been made, especially for minority-owned cannabis ventures, much work remains. Continued advocacy for fair policy, investment in mentorship and training initiatives, and stronger industry-wide collaboration will help ensure the cannabis marketplace stays inclusive and continues to open doors for the next generation of business owners.
The future of cannabis in Massachusetts should taste like progress — and maybe even a little Blue Raspberry.
Omari Anderson is the CEO and founder of Best Dirty Lemonade, a cannabis-infused beverage line, which launched in Massachusetts in 2023.
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