Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions in California

The Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions is accepting applications for fiscal year 2024-25. Administered by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), the program provides funding to help cities and counties develop and implement cannabis equity programs. These programs aim to reduce barriers to entry for individuals impacted by cannabis criminalization and encourage their participation in the regulated cannabis market. Applications must be submitted online by December 16, 2024, at 11:59 PM, and only local jurisdictions are eligible to apply. The program aligns with Proposition 64's goals of fostering equity in the cannabis industry and reducing the illicit market by offering technical support, regulatory assistance, and financial aid to equity applicants and licensees. Funding is available for equity assessments, program development, and direct support for equity participants, such as training, financial aid, and licensing assistance. Matching funds may be required for some requests. Eligible applicants are California cities and counties with cannabis equity programs or plans to establish them. Applications are evaluated on program design, alignment with state objectives, and anticipated impact. Required documents include a GO-Biz budget spreadsheet, licensing details, and taxpayer ID forms, with templates and guidance available on the GO-Biz website. Applications must follow the provided Application Guide and Grant Solicitation. For assistance, applicants can contact GO-Biz by email or phone. Additional resources, past grant recipient data, and subscription options for program updates are also available online.