How Five States Are Trying to Fix Past Cannabis Wrongs

In the US, some states have started programs to make up for past mistakes related to cannabis. These programs focus on helping people who were hurt by old laws. They also aim to give everyone a fair chance in the new cannabis business. Five states have taken big steps. Colorado was one of the first. It created ways to help people with past cannabis convictions start their own businesses. Washington state also made rules to support people from areas most affected by old cannabis laws. Massachusetts and Connecticut have programs to help people from communities that were hit hard by cannabis arrests. They offer help with starting businesses and getting jobs. Missouri is doing something similar. It gives money to groups that help people who were hurt by old cannabis laws. But not everyone thinks these programs are working well. Some say the rules are too hard to follow. Others think the states aren't doing enough to help. Still, these programs are a start. They show that states are trying to fix past mistakes. The goal is to make things fairer. But it's not easy. Old problems don't go away quickly. These states are learning as they go. They are trying to build a better future for everyone.