Massachusetts is making plans to launch the nation's first statewide "social equity" program to help minorities and people convicted of drug offenses work in the legal marijuana industry.

"I know a lot of other states and countries are watching to see what the first statewide equity program looks like," said Cannabis Control Commissioner Shaleen Title.

Massachusetts state law requires the Cannabis Control Commission to promote full participation in the industry by people disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. The commission is already giving priority in review of licensing applications to "economic empowerment" applicants who come from areas and groups that have been overly affected by marijuana arrests. The program that Shekia Scott, director of community outreach for the Cannabis Control Commission, is developing will provide additional training to these groups.

"We want applicants to specify their needs so we can meet them where they are," Scott said. "We're not making a one-size-fits-all program, that we know usually doesn't fit all."

Scott, who outlined the proposed program at a Tuesday meeting of the Cannabis Control Commission, said the goals include reducing barriers to entry to the recreational cannabis industry and providing technical services and mentoring to individuals facing barriers.

"The social equity program is designed to create sustainable pathways into the adult use cannabis industry for both individuals and businesses," Scott said.

In order to be eligible for the program, someone must either have a past drug conviction or be the spouse or child of a person with a drug conviction, who has lived in Massachusetts for the last 12 months. Alternatively, the person could have lived in a community classified as an area of disproportionate impact for at least five years and have income below 400 percent of the federal poverty level ($48,240 for an individual and $98,400 for a family of four).

While the criteria do not specify race, part of the goal is to get a more racially diverse workforce, Scott said. Today, cannabis business owners and founders nationally are 81 percent white, according to Marijuana Business Daily. Only 5.7 percent are Latino and 4.3 percent are black. Statistics show blacks and Latinos are more likely to have been arrested for drug crimes.

There are four tracks in the program: one for owners/entrepreneurs; one for management and executive level careers; one for entry level jobs or people looking to re-enter society after incarceration; and one for people with existing skills that can be transferred to the cannabis business. The final track has separate categories for professional skills like law or accounting and trade skills, like drivers, plumbers or electricians. It is also designed to help inventors of cannabis accessories.

Each track will offer training on industry-specific challenges and skills.

Scott said there will be a range of different services offered depending on what each applicant needs. This could include one-on-one mentoring, group workshops and seminars, or YouTube training videos.

"Everyone can't be an owner," Scott said. "We have to think bigger about building out the full workforce and full industry."

Applicants could be eligible for fee waivers for licensing as well as technical assistance. The program will develop a way to connect job seekers with employers.

The Cannabis Control Commission on Tuesday approved a "request for qualifications" to seek vendors willing to provide these training services.

The commission has $300,000 to spend on the equity program this year, and its budget in future years will be up to the Legislature.

Scott said her next step will be to do outreach in the 29 communities that have been deemed "disproportionately impacted" to encourage people to apply. The goal, she said, is to "build trust" so people feel connected and feel like "they can come to us and say I want to be part of this industry, where do I go, what do I do."

At a recent meeting, some "economic empowerment" applicants said their biggest challenges in starting marijuana businesses have been in working with municipalities who are more likely to negotiate agreements with large, established companies.

Title said she is currently working on writing guidance for municipalities related to social equity, which will distributed to cities and towns. She is working with Cambridge and Somerville, both of which have asked for guidance about creating their own equity programs.

Title said the equity program Scott is crafting could also provide guidance to business owners on how to navigate the municipal approvals process. "If you're an entrepreneur, that's one of the biggest challenges," Title said.

Cannabis Control Commission Chairman Steven Hoffman said so far, the commission has collaborated with cities and towns on all the regulations. "We have to work together on everything. I'm hopeful that's no different with respect to the social equity program," Hoffman said.