California begins taking cannabis social equity grant apps from cities, counties

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California marijuana social equity, California begins taking cannabis social equity grant apps from cities, counties

California state marijuana regulators announced Friday they are accepting grant applications from cities and counties that are implementing social equity programs for local cannabis businesses.

The state’s Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC) will award $10 million to qualifying jurisdictions by June 30 as part of a growing movement to repair social harms done by the war on drugs and marijuana prohibition and also to encourage minorities and those victimized by prohibition to get a toehold in the cannabis space.

The minimum grant amount for qualifying jurisdictions will be $100,000, according to a BCC news release.

To date, at least four cities in California have established social equity programs: Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento and San Francisco.

It’s unclear if other cities or counties also have begun crafting similar programs.

Applications are due to the BCC by April 1.

John Schroyer can be reached at johns@mjbizdaily.com