Amherst Reparations Report Recommends Using Cannabis Tax Revenue Funds

A reparations plan for black residents of Amherst has been unveiled by the town’s African heritage reparation assembly.

The Town of Amherst’s African Heritage Reparation Assembly, a working group designed to create a plan for the town to provide reparations to local residents impacted by anti-black racism has released its final report. {snip}

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Following several listening sessions, studies, and public surveys, the committee recently released a report naming its recommendations for reparations. They recommended creating an endowment to fund the reparation work using tax revenue from cannabis sales. They say the money could go towards youth programming, affordable housing, and direct cash payments as part of reparations, among others.

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The town of Amherst has allocated $2 million to be used over a ten-year period on these reparations. The AHRA, however, is pushing for an acceleration of that commitment from the town, to ensure the fund is fully funded within 4 years.

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