DATE:
April 30, 2024
31
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
CANNABIS SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRAM (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).
The goal of the SEP is to ensure that those negatively or adversely impacted by cannabis criminalization are provided with the opportunity to successfully participate in the regulated cannabis market and for people and communities impacted by the War on Drugs to receive assistance and benefits. This assistance and benefits will be vital to the success of these future entrepreneurs and beneficiaries. OERJ will continue to work with PDS on ensuring social equity is a priority for all programming related to cannabis.
Today's action provides an update on the coordinated development of the Cannabis Social Equity Program focusing on and development of the SEP components of the Social Equity Entrepreneurs Program and the Social Equity Beneficiaries Program. The recommendations include receiving an update on the program, providing policy direction on the social equity eligibility criteria, and the SEP related or...
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