As part of a push to promote equity, diversity and social justice in the cannabis industry, Ascend Wellness Holdings Inc. committed to even more programming designed to foster a more inclusive and sustainable marketplace.

In a Feb. 1 press release, the New York-headquartered multistate operator announced the launch of the Ascend CO-LAB for Social Equity, which will provide learning opportunities, mentorship, and legal support to social equity license holders and social equity candidates.

Rooted in the vision of an inclusive and sustainable industry, the CO-LAB will focus on advocating for the rights and participation of all – particularly those historically affected – and aims to address past injustices through actions such as expungement and decriminalization, according to the MSO.

Ascend – which has dispensaries in Fort Lee, Montclair and Rochelle Park – has already made strides to help create a stronger and more equitable industry through collaboration.

In 2023, it directly mentored 35 social equity licensees and 65 social equity candidates through partnerships with Jersey City-based Minority Cannabis Academy.

Ascend also provided 24 cultivation tours last year for social equity license holders, offering in-depth knowledge of cultivation facility operations. It also hosted 19 expungement clinics and resource fairs in 2023, connecting more than 1,200 individuals with legal support and essential resources, including mental health, food, housing and job services.

Additionally, Ascend donated more than $300,000 in 2023 to dozens of grassroots organizations and minority communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.

Customers at Ascend dispensaries also gave $350,000 to the Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to cannabis criminal justice reform.

Throughout February, Ascend will unveil limited-edition merchandise as well as kick off a “Round-Up” program in which customers can choose to round up their receipts to support the CO-LAB.

“We believe justice is a ‘Joint Effort’ and that those closest to the pain are closest to the solutions,” Danielle Drummond, Ascend’s vice president of social equity, said in a statement. “That’s why we partner directly within the black and brown communities most disproportionately impacted to come up with solutions. We have cultivated authentic relationships fostering seamless collaboration within the communities we serve.”

“Together we can create solutions that better communities, our company, and the industry at large. I am excited to continue to transform our program and embark on the next step in our work to pave the way for a more equitable future, one interaction at a time,” she said.