California is investing $35 million more into its cannabis equity programs, applicants and licensees, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced Feb. 7.
The funding is through the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions, which aims to advance economic justice for populations and communities harmed by cannabis prohibition through providing support to local jurisdictions as they promote equity and eliminate barriers to entry for applicants and licensees.
The $35 million in allocations brings California’s commitment to local equity funding to $90 million since the program launched, GO-Biz Director Dee Dee Myers said in a press release.
“Cannabis equity grants will help level the playing field for those that have borne the brunt of past federal and state anti-drug policies while striving to make California’s cannabis industry more equitable and accessible to those individuals,” said Myers, who also serves as Gov. Gavin Newsom’s chief economic and business adviser.
The funding will help jurisdictions develop their equity programs by providing low/no-interest loans or grants, reduced or waived licensing fees, and technical assistance to help applicants and licensees navigate regulatory requirements, according to the release.
Local jurisdiction funding for cannabis equity applicants/licensees include:
Los Angeles $5,726,309.09
City of Oakland $5,435,140.82
City and County of San Francisco $4,464,579.96
City of Sacramento $4,351,347.87
County of Humboldt $3,429,315.04
City of Long Beach $3,235,202.88
County of Mendocino $2,944,034.62
County of Lake $1,941,121.72
City of Richmond $1,319,360.00
City of Palm Springs $1,303,588.00
County of Monterey $550,000.00
Local jurisdiction funding for cannabis equity assessment/program development include:
City of Adelanto $75,000
City of Barstow $75,000
City of Pasadena $75,000
City of Santa Rosa $75,000
County of Los Angeles $75,000
