Cannabis Rendu Clair
2023 Social Impact Fund: Partners Driving Change
Meet the partner groups for the OCS’s inaugural Social Impact Fund, launched in April 2023. The Social Impact Fund (the Fund) provides financial support for projects and research that align with one of the OCS’s three key pillars of social responsibility.
Last updated September 24, 2025 | Published on November 28, 2023
As part of our commitment to foster a socially responsible cannabis industry, the OCS launched its first Call for Applications for the Social Impact Fund (the Fund) in April 2023.
This inaugural round of funding supported projects led by partners from Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy, McMaster University, Cannabis Social Equity and Equality Development (S.E.E.D.) Initiative, Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and the University of Calgary. These projects are closely aligned with the OCS’s three goals of social responsibility: establishing a foundation for environmental sustainability, supporting a diverse and inclusive cannabis industry in Ontario, and advancing cannabis knowledge while promoting responsible consumption.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, these teams made significant strides through their programs, educational content and research. We’re proud to spotlight their efforts — read on to learn more about the meaningful work they’ve accomplished with this funding.
$524,400
in funding distributed
2
Community projects
4
Research projects
3
Black-led projects
See how each partner brought their project to life and what they delivered.
- Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy – Getting More Sensible! Ontario Expansion and PSA Series – $110,000
- McMaster University – Wading Through the Weeds: Mobilizing a Trauma-Informed and Harm-Reduction Approach to Accessing Information and Support Regarding Cannabis Consumption During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding – $61,400
- The Cannabis Social Equity and Equality Development (S.E.E.D.) Initiative – Growing Opportunities: Cannabis Workforce Empowerment Program – $100,000
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation – Towards a More Equitable Cannabis Industry in Ontario: Enabling an Inclusive, Diverse, and Vibrant Legal Market – $110,000
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre – Investigating an Association Between Lifetime Cannabis Exposure and Prostate Cancer Incidence – $69,000
- University of Calgary – The Young Adult Digital Storytelling Cannabis Harm Reduction Project – $75,000
