Focus is on ‘social equity’ as bill to establish legalized cannabis industry is vetted by House committee

No one really complained about the 88-page bill. In fact, most of the witnesses testifying Friday afternoon had nothing but high praise for the sponsors and their efforts. Well thought-out. A national model. Inclusive. Equitable. The scores of people who packed the House Economic Matters Committee room just had a couple more thoughts about the legislation to regulate legalized cannabis, from farm to rolling paper: Favorable with amendments. Some worried about clean-air violations in areas where tobacco smoking is already prohibited. Some predicted it would cripple the hemp industry. Some warned of children in search of candy gobbling up look-alike CBD gummies. Some simply wanted a piece of the action from the money brought in by the state taxing the sales.