Cannabis Industry Diversity: Our Proven Commitment to Equity at CNA Stores

At CNA Stores, we believe that cannabis industry diversity is not just a goal to be achieved—it is a standard to be maintained and elevated. As a premier marijuana establishment with seven years of experience in the Commonwealth, we have transitioned from setting ambitious diversity benchmarks to successfully hitting and maintaining them. Our mission remains steadfast: to foster an inclusive culture where every individual has the opportunity to build a rewarding cannabis career within a fair and representative marketplace.

Seven Years of Leading by Example

Since our inception, we have recognized that the legal cannabis market carries a responsibility to address historical inequities. By providing social equity opportunities for populations that have been marginalized, we strengthen the industry as a whole. Our longevity in the Massachusetts market allows us to offer more than just entry-level positions; we offer a stable, proven environment for long-term professional growth.

Our Core Focus on Diversity

To strengthen cannabis industry diversity, we actively prioritize the recruitment, support, and advancement of the following groups:

• Veterans: Supporting those who served is the heartbeat of our brand. We recognize the unique leadership skills and discipline Veterans bring to the cannabis workforce.

• Persons of Color: We are dedicated to advancing racial equity and ensuring representation across our retail, cultivation, and corporate teams.

• Women: We actively work to break the glass ceiling in the industry by empowering female leadership and entrepreneurship.

• People with Disabilities: We ensure accessible, long-term pathways to employment, providing the accommodations and support necessary for a thriving career.

• LGBTQ+ Individuals: We promote a workplace culture of authenticity, pride, and total acceptance.

Proven Strategic Goals for a Diverse Workforce

CNA Stores uses rigorous, data-driven metrics to ensure our Diversity Plan creates a representative cannabis workforce. Our current operations are focused on two primary pillars of success:

1. Maintaining 50% Diverse Representation

We have successfully built a team where at least 50% of our total employee base identifies with our core focus demographics. While many companies struggle to reach this number, we have achieved it and are now focused on sustaining this balance as our company scales and enters new markets.

2. Leadership and Executive Pipelines

We believe cannabis industry diversity must exist at the top. We are dedicated to the upward mobility of our staff, ensuring that our management and executive suites reflect the diversity of our frontline teams. Through internal promotion and executive coaching, we ensure our leadership is as diverse as the communities we serve.

Empowerment Programs & Professional Development

True cannabis industry diversity requires more than just a diverse hiring roster; it requires a commitment to professional mastery. We provide the elite training necessary for our team members to become experts in the field.

The CNA Mentoring Program

Our mentorship initiative is a cornerstone of our social equity efforts. We provide full sponsorship to the Cannabis Training University, where participants earn a Masters of Marijuana Certificate. This comprehensive education ensures our team remains at the cutting edge of the industry, covering:

• Cultivation: Mastering the science of how to grow cannabis at a commercial scale while maintaining organic standards.

• Production: Advanced expertise in cannabis cooking, precision extractions, and high-quality infusions.

• Compliance: Deep dives into navigating the complex, evolving state laws and regulations that govern our industry.

• Operations: Practical training in retail dispensary management and modern delivery service logistics.

• Consultancy: Becoming a certified product specialist to help consumers understand the nuances of cannabis as medicine.

Equitable Hiring & Community Advocacy

We understand that a diverse workforce starts with intentional outreach. Our hiring initiatives are designed to reach those who may feel excluded from the corporate cannabis landscape.

• Veteran Outreach: Through our long-standing partnership with the Department of Veterans’ Services of Haverhill, we offer employment opportunities specifically tailored to those transitioning to civilian life.

• Hiring Preference: To further cannabis industry diversity, we continue to give preference to qualified candidates from our focus demographics. If two candidates are equally qualified, we choose the individual who helps us maintain our commitment to a diverse workforce.

• Strategic Recruitment: We focus our recruitment efforts on platforms and community organizations that prioritize diverse professionals, ensuring our job postings reach a wide and inclusive audience.

Accountability, Transparency, and Results

Our Chief Operations Officer (COO) is responsible for the ongoing administration of our Diversity Plan. We utilize measurable outcomes to ensure we honor our seven-year history of inclusion:

• Quarterly Internal Audits: We perform regular reviews of our staffing data to ensure we never dip below our 50% diversity threshold.

• Veteran Engagement Tracking: We document every position posted with local Veterans’ services to ensure our outreach remains active and effective.

• Mentorship Success Reporting: We track the number of individuals engaged in our training programs and celebrate every certificate earned.

Each year, as part of our license renewal with the Commission, we provide documented “Proof of Success.” Because we have been in this space for seven years, we have the data to prove that our methods work. We remain committed to taking immediate corrective action if our high standards for equity are ever at risk, ensuring that CNA Stores remains a beacon of cannabis industry diversity.

Compliance Acknowledgements

CNA Stores strictly adheres to 935 CMR 500.105(4) regarding all advertising, branding, and marketing practices. Our programs are designed to comply with all Commission regulations and Massachusetts state laws, ensuring a safe and equitable environment for all.