A $1.68 million state grant has been awarded to the City of Sacramento to increase equity in its local cannabis industry.
The funding, part of the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions, is provided by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz).
The grant program seeks to “advance economic justice for individuals most harmed by cannabis criminalization and poverty by providing support to local jurisdictions as they promote equity and eliminate barriers to enter the newly regulated cannabis industry for equity program applicants and licensees,” the Governor’s office said.
Sacramento received the fourth highest allocation from the $15 million program, behind Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Sacramento previously has been awarded this funding, which it has used to support members of its Cannabis Opportunity Reinvestment and Equity (CORE) program.
“This grant provides valuable support for CORE members, offering funding for business operations and technical assistance,” said Lindsay Brown, administrative officer in the City’s Office of Cannabis Management. “These resources play a key role in helping program participants establish and grow their business.”
The technical assistance will include guidance on legal matters, cannabis regulatory compliance, accounting and taxes, construction and architecture, security, marketing and branding, human relations and labor issues, as well as commercial real estate consultation.
The City established its CORE program in 2018 to reduce the barriers of entry into the local cannabis industry through training, mentoring, financial and technical support and other assistance for individuals affected by the disproportionate enforcement of cannabis-related crimes. Sacramento is one of 12 cities across California to receive local jurisdiction equity funding from the state this year.
Last year, the City partnered with Launch Industries to expand support for CORE participants, offering technical assistance, mentorship, and regulatory guidance. The City also approved a pilot program for social cannabis consumption and is in the process of reviewing the ordinance and potential zoning updates.
For more information about the CORE program, visit sacramentocore.org.
To learn more about local cannabis laws and regulations, visit the City’s cannabis webpage, contact the City’s Office of Cannabis Management at cannabis@cityofsacramento.org or call (916) 808-8955.
