The Fund arrives after Curio Wellness became known as a cannabis company that many social justice-minded patients avoid. вЂњThe Fund provides qualifying entrepreneurs with the investment capital they need to become a Curio Wellness Center franchisee, while ensuring their success through our best in class business operations.вЂќ

вЂњIn looking at the systemic barriers that women, minorities and disabled veterans face in accessing capital, we decided to develop a solution that directly addresses this massive economic disparity,вЂќ said Michael Bronfein, CEO of Curio Wellness, in a statement.

Current laws due to cannabis being a Schedule I drug make it hard to receive loans and other assistance to start a cannabis company and as a result, the industry is dominated by those with easy access to money. Curio Wellness, which has faced criticism over the past two years due to the cannabis companyвЂ™s connections to right-wing Sinclair Broadcasting, and for filing a lawsuit challenging a state law encouraging diversity in the cannabis industry, has announced a funding program to support minority, medicinal cannabis business entrepreneurs.Д¬urio Wellness announced on December 1 that they will вЂњconnect diverse investors with up to 50 aspiring women, minority and disabled veteran entrepreneurs, providing $30 million in capital funding.вЂќ Dubbed вЂњThe Fund,вЂќ this is CurioвЂ™s way to bring more people of color, women, and people with disabilities into the industry and enable them access to capital.

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