California Gives Localities $15M In Cannabis Equity Grants

California officials have awarded $15 million in grant funding through the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and Bureau of Cannabis Control’s Cannabis Equity Grants program. At least $11.5 million of the funding will be in the form of low- or no-interest loans or grants to cannabis equity applicants and licenses.

The grants are set aside for individuals convicted of a cannabis offense and their families, and other social equity applicants as determined by localities.

Nicole Elliott, senior advisor on cannabis to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) noted that “prohibition and criminalization has had devastating impacts on generations of Californians.”

“As we work to safely reopen our economy, leading with equity across all sectors will ensure a just recovery and further our commitment to create a truly diverse legal industry. These efforts stand as a testament to our values as a state, and I applaud the work being done by these jurisdictions as they thoughtfully embrace this challenge.” – Elliott in a press release

The city of Oakland received the most of any municipality with $2,432,712, followed by:

• City and County of San Francisco – $2,055,841.43
• City of Los Angeles – $2,030,997.42
• City of Sacramento – $1,813,612.38
• City of Long Beach – $1,267,044.26
• City of Fresno – $1,204,934.25
• County of Humboldt – $1,055,870.22
• County of Lake – $888,173.18
• City of Palm Springs – $869,540.18
• County of Mendocino – $832,274.17

The counties of San Diego, Sonoma, and Trinity also each received $75,000 – along with the cities of Escondido, Modesto, Richmond, and San Diego; while the city of Isleton received $22,000.