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The purpose of the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions is to advance economic justice for populations and communities impacted by cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs (WoD) by providing support to local jurisdictions as they promote equity in California and eliminate barriers to enter the newly regulated cannabis industry for equity program applicants and licensees. By issuing these grants to local jurisdictions, GO-Biz aims to advance the well-being of populations and communities that have been negatively or disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition and the WoD.
The term “equity” recognizes that because different individuals or groups have different histories and circumstances, they have different needs and unequal starting points. Using an equity approach, individuals and groups receive different resources, opportunities, support, or treatment based on their specific needs. By providing what each individual or group needs, they can have equitable or fair outcomes.
Local jurisdictions can help further the purpose and intent of the AUMA by fostering equitable access to licensure and employment in the regulated cannabis industry, ensuring that persons most harmed by cannabis criminalization and poverty are offered assistance to enter the multibillion-dollar cannabis industry as entrepreneurs or as employees with high-quality, wellpaying jobs, and ensuring the cannabis industry is representative of the state’s population.
Funding Request Type 1: Assistance for Cannabis Equity Assessment/Program Development
Assistance for the creation of a cannabis equity assessment and/or assistance for the development of a local equity program. Applications for Funding Request Type 1 are subject to a maximum request of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) and the total amount available for this application type is five million dollars ($5,000,000).
Funding Request Type 2: Assistance for Cannabis Equity Program Applicants and Licensees
Assistance for cannabis equity program applicants and licensees to gain entry to, and to successfully operate in, the state’s regulated cannabis marketplace. Applications for Funding Request Type 2 are subject to a maximum request of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) and will be allocated grant funds using a point-based scoring system and funding formula.An eligible local jurisdiction may not apply for Funding Request Type 2 unless:
-The jurisdiction has already conducted a cannabis equity assessment by the application due date; and
-The jurisdiction has adopted or operates a local equity program by the application due date.
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