Overview
Social equity licensees hold some of the most valuable licenses in each market and face some of the hardest conditions. Ownership and control rules are strict, capital is hard to raise without giving up equity, and many licensees have been approached with deals that would hand control of the business to someone else. Regulators are watching: several states now penalize arrangements that shift control away from qualifying owners.
We work with social equity, CAURD and impact licensees under flat, fixed fees. You keep ownership and final decisions. We bring the operating experience: sites, builds, systems, teams and compliance, the same way we run our own stores.
Typical challenges
Keeping ownership and control
Programs require qualifying owners to keep majority ownership and real control, often for years.
Raising capital
Investors want returns and protections that the rules may not allow.
Predatory offers
Revenue-share management deals, options and side agreements can put the license at risk.
Running out of time
Conditional and provisional licenses carry deadlines to open.
Operating experience
Many owners are opening their first store and need a team they can trust.
How we protect your ownership
Every engagement starts with your program's rules on ownership, profit share and control. We map who owns what and who decides what, and we check every agreement, including ours, against those rules before it is signed. Our own agreements use flat fees and leave every final decision with you.
We also help you evaluate offers from others. Investors and managers sometimes propose terms that look generous today and take control later. We read those terms with you, explain what they would mean in practice and help you negotiate terms that keep the license yours.
Services that fit
- Entity, Ownership and TPI StructuringStructure investment and partnerships that fit your program's rules.
- Site Selection and Proximity AnalysisFind and secure a compliant site.
- Dispensary Buildout ManagementGet the store built on time and on budget.
- Hiring, Training and SOPsBuild and train your team, with SOPs you own.
- Dispensary Operations ManagementOngoing support with you in control, where the state allows management agreements.
- Hourly AdvisoryA second opinion on an investor or management offer before you sign.
Where this matters most
| State | What to know |
|---|---|
| New York | SEE and CAURD licensees; management companies are presumed TPIs |
| Maryland | 65% ownership during conditional licensure; MSAs need approval |
| Connecticut | From November 1, 2026, no agreements that shift operational control |
| Virginia | Impact licensees: 51% ownership and control, five-year transfer limit |
How working with us starts
Discovery call
Thirty minutes, no cost. We learn where you are and what is blocking you, and tell you plainly whether we can help.
Written scope and flat-fee quote
You get the deliverables, timeline and fee in writing. Nothing is tied to your revenue or profit unless a regulator has approved it.
Kickoff
We send a document list, set the schedule and assign operators who have done this work in our own stores.
Delivery and reporting
Regular updates and, for ongoing work, a monthly report with targets, red flags and a fix for each one.
Frequently asked questions
Will you ask for equity in my license?
No. We work for flat, fixed fees. We do not take equity, options or control rights in social equity licensees.
How do I know if an offer is predatory?
Watch for revenue or profit shares that exceed your own, options to buy control later, vetoes over your decisions, exclusive supply requirements and long non-competes. We can review an offer in an hourly session.
Can I take outside investment?
Usually yes, within your program's limits on ownership share, profit share and control. The details vary by state.
What changed in Connecticut?
From November 1, 2026, social equity owners may not enter agreements that shift operational control to a non-social equity party, including consulting arrangements. We keep control with the owner in every Connecticut engagement.
Can you help a CAURD licensee in New York?
Yes. We help with sites, proximity requests, builds, teams and compliance under flat-fee advisory and services agreements.
What does it cost?
Engagements are scoped and quoted after a discovery call.
Can you help me find investors?
We prepare the plan, model and diligence materials investors expect and help you evaluate terms. We do not raise money or take equity ourselves.