MANCHESTER, Conn. — When Fine Fettle in Manchester opens its doors on Friday it will mark a very special ‘first’ in Connecticut.
"It’s Connecticut’s first equity joint venture. Which is a partnership, 50/50 between an existing medical operator, us Fine Fettle, as well as our social equity partners," said Benjamin Zachs, COO of Fine Fettle.
Those partners are people from communities that were most impacted by the war on drugs.
"This is a very, very, very, very small step in making right the war on drugs," said Kennard Ray, CEO of Fine Fettle Manchester.
He grew up not far from there in Hartford, in one of the state’s poorest zip codes, and spent time in prison for drug and gun-related charges when he was younger.
He’s spent years fighting for others like him to get second chances.
"The path to even get to a place like this has been very very long and for me, that story includes the fight to make sure that everyone has this opportunity," Ray said.
When Connecticut legalized recreational marijuana it made it a point to give people from those disproportionately impacted areas the opportunity to take part in the industry.
"Having those folks who were disproportionately impacted get that leg up have a seat at the table have all the resources behind them it really is the only fair and equitable thing to do," said Ginne-Rae Clay, executive director, of the Social Equity Council.
It also cleared thousands of low-level cannabis possession convictions and ensured that the money made from adult-use cannabis sales goes back into those communities as well.
"Part of this legislation says that we will re-invest in the communities, not just in the people," Clay said.
The council is offering loans and education to help get business owners started.
Friday’s grand opening is the first of many more like it to come this year.
"This is an actual living, proven example," Ray said. "That change can happen right," he said. "I want this location to do numbers. Like break records and break barriers," Ray said.
There will be a ribbon cutting Friday morning at 8:30 and doors will open for business at 9.
Gaby Molina is a reporter and anchor at FOX61 News. She can be reached at mmolina@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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