HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — In a report made public on Monday morning, Connecticut’s State Comptroller outlined a series of concerning practices at the state’s Social Equity Council.
The Social Equity Council was created by the legislature with the intention of assisting communities impacted by the decades long war on drugs and opening up pathways for members of those communities to participate in the business end of the legal cannabis market.
The Council’s responsibilities fall broadly into two buckets: approving certain types of licenses for cannabis-related businesses and distributing funds into communities impacted by the drug war.
On both fronts, the Comptroller’s report detailed shortcomings.
“On the licensing side, that meant unclear, contradicting and changing guidance that was provided to applicants,” Comptroller Sean Scanlon (D-Conn) said. Poor communication to these applicants — almost all of which was verbal and never in writing.”
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Scanlon’s report also detailed two instances in which “the Council was unable to provide us with all bid documentation and evaluations for community outreach service contracts, totaling $90,575.”
“I think they certainly spent money on things that were frivolous and a waste of money,” Scanlon said, referring largely to sizable consulting contracts.
Along with his findings, Scanlon detailed several legislative recommendations, including the establishment of more objective criteria for applicants to the Council’s programs.
Scanlon also recommended legislation to define in state statutes exactly how the Council would be allowed to use its appropriated funds. He said existing controls and practices around spending had proven inadequate.
On the need for legislative reforms to the Social Equity Council, Scanlon might find an ally in the State House’s top Republican.
“I think a lot of those recommendations I would support,” Rep. Vin Candelora (R-Conn), the House Minority Leader, said.
Candelora is also quick to point out that many in his party opposed the process that led to the creation of the Social Equity Council, characterizing the original legislation as rushed.
“It’s unfortunate that we’re here,” Candelora said, “but there were a lot of people back in the day that were more interested in commercializing marijuana than actually getting it right.”
The legislature is not set to reconvene until early next year for what’s commonly called a “long session.”
H/T: WTNH
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