DATE:
December 10, 2024?
26
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
REQUEST TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM THE CANNABIS EQUITY GRANTS PROGRAM FOR LOCAL JURISDICTIONS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On January 27, 2021 (4), the Board of Supervisors (Board) directed staff to implement measures to provide economic access and equity in the cannabis industry. These measures included components of a Social Equity Program (SEP), Zoning Ordinance amendments, and a licensing/permitting system. The Board further directed that grant funding be secured to support implementation of the SEP, which would include numerous elements to prioritize equity, access, and business opportunities to help rectify the injustices caused by the War on Drugs and be in place prior to issuance of the first cannabis business license. Further, on March 3, 2021 (11), the Board directed the Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) to lead the development of the framework and strategy, including grant funding options, needed to initiate a SEP and coordinate this with the land use permitting system being developed by Planning & Development Services (PDS).
On February 7, 2022, Womxn's Work Consulting, LLC was contracted to complete the Social Equity Assessment for Commercial Cannabis (Equity Assessment) for the County of San Diego. The Equity Assessment includes feedback received through the robust public outreach activities conducted by Womxn's Work, extensive data analysis, and research of California jurisdictions' cannabis programs and other states jurisdictions' cannabis programs.
Today's item includes a request for the Board to adopt a Resolution in support of the local equity program and authorize OERJ to apply for and, if awarded, accept grant funding that can be utilized to assist local equity applicants and licensees through grant and/or loan programs such as grants available from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development Cannabis Equity Grants Pro...
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