Interim Studies & Commission Listings

Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Board

    Reference:
    » HB 2312; (2021 Special Session I)
    » SB 1406; (2021 Special Session 1)
  • Description: The purposes of the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Board is to directly address the impact of economic disinvestment, violence, and historical overuse of criminal justice responses to community and individual needs by providing resources to support local design and control of community-based responses to such impacts. The Board has the following powers and duties (i) support persons, families, and communities historically and disproportionately targeted and affected by drug enforcement; (ii) develop and implement scholarship programs and educational and vocational resources for historically marginalized persons, including persons in foster care, who have been adversely impacted by substance use individually, in their families, or in their communities; (iii) develop and implement a program to award grants to support workforce development programs, mentoring programs, job training and placement services, apprenticeships, and reentry services that serve persons and communities historically and disproportionately targeted by drug enforcement; (iv) administer the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund; (v) collaborate with the Board of Directors of the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as necessary to implement programs and provide recommendations; (vi) submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly; and (vii) perform such activities and other functions as the Governor and General Assembly may direct.
  • Report Date: Annually
  • Staff Contact:

    The Board shall be chaired by the Director of Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion

Citizen Members:
Name Representing Appointed By Term
Michele Riddick Hamilton Expert in education with a focus on access to opportunities for youth in underserved communities Senate Committee on Rules Expires 06/30/2027
Keisha Smith Expert in the field of public health with experience in trauma-informed care, if possible Senate Committee on Rules Expires 06/30/2026
Benjamin P. Peterson A person who has been previously incarcerated or convicted of a marijuana-related crime Senate Committee on Rules Expires 06/30/2025
Dr. Penni Sweetenburg-Lee Expert in workforce development Speaker of the House Expires 06/30/2025
Paul McLean Entrepreneur with expertise in emerging industries or access to capital for small businesses Speaker of the House Expires 06/30/2025
Vernon Green Jr. Veteran Speaker of the House Expires 06/30/2026
Dr. Nancy Toscano Expert on Virginia's foster care system Speaker of the House Expires 06/30/2027
Dr. Cassandra L. Newby-Alexander Representative from one of Virginia's historically black colleges and universities Speaker of the House Expires 06/30/2027
5 Citizens Governor  
Ex Officio Members:
Name Title
The Honorable Aimee Rogstad Guidera Secretary of Education
The Honorable John Littel Secretary of Health and Human Resources
The Honorable Terrance Cole Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security
Angela Sailor Chief Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion Officer
Megan Healy Ph.D Chief Workforce Advisor
The Honorable Jason S. Miyares Attorney General
Chief Executive Officer Virginia Cannabis Control Authority
Membership and Term Information:
Max # House: 0 Appointment Coincident With House Term? YES
Max # Senate: 0 Appointment Coincident With Senate Term? YES
Max # Citizens: 13
Max # Ex Officio: 7
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