Cannabis Equity Program
The objective of Cannabis Equity Program is to support equitable opportunities in the local cannabis industry by making legal cannabis business ownership and employment opportunities more accessible to individuals impacted by the prior criminalization of cannabis in the City. This includes providing individuals with support and access to resources such as direct grants, fee waivers, expedited application and facility plan check review, cultivation tax deferrals, and Direct Technical Assistance to open an Equity Business, whether it is a cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, lab testing and/or dispensary license type(s).
The longer-term goal of the Program is to recognize and address the long-term negative social impact associated with the disproportionate enforcement of cannabis policies on Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and low-income communities in the City. Long-term impacts from the criminalization of cannabis include social stigma of criminal conviction and incarceration, family and community disintegration (especially if the incarcerated individual was the primary or sole income earner in the household), permanent loss of property, disqualification from employment opportunities, reduced earnings potential, exclusion from public benefits, and inability to vote in public elections.
Equity Program Opportunities:
Open an
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Get a Job
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
LONG BEACH CITY COUNCIL ALLOWING 8 NEW EQUITY DISPENSARIES
On May 17, 2022, the Long Beach City Council voted on the first reading of the Equity Dispensary Ordinance and Resolution to allow up to 8 additional dispensaries to be owned exclusively by equity applicants. The City Council will vote on the second reading on May 24th and the ordinance will go into effect 31 days after it is signed into law by the Mayor.
Want to learn more about what has happened to date? Check out our New Policy Initiatives website.
LATEST NEWS IN CANNABIS EQUITY The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) released a new data visualization tool to help inform consumers and business owners where they can purchase safe and legal cannabis products from licensed retailers and which cities and counties license cannabis businesses. Click here to learn more. |
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DISCLAIMER: This website is provided for members of the public as a resource for general information. The information on this website may be incomplete, contain errors, or change without notice. The information provided is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon without first consulting a qualified attorney.
