Open an Equity Business
Individuals who qualify for the Equity Program and want to open an adult-use cannabis business in Long Beach are eligible to receive benefits and assistance to help navigate the City's cannabis application and licensing process.
To qualify for the Equity Program, individuals must be verified as Equity Applicants and then be verified as Equity Businesses by the Business License Division. To qualify as an Equity Business, Equity Applicants must have a minimum of 51% ownership of the entity that will apply for an Adult-Use Cannabis Business License. |
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Questions about the
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Equity Program Benefits |
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Application workshops |
Get assistance on how to prepare and submit a complete cannabis business license application and learn strategies on how to increase opportunities for approval at each stage of the application process. |
*Fee waivers |
All zoning, application, plan check, inspection and other applicable City fees are waived for Equity Businesses. Fee waivers will cover City costs that Equity Businesses would otherwise incur through the cannabis business license application and permitting process, thus allowing Equity Businesses to conserve resources for other costs associated with opening a cannabis business in Long Beach. |
*Direct Grants |
Direct grants are intended to offset non-City costs associated with completing each phase of the cannabis business license application and permitting process. Equity Applicants and Equity Businesses who complete cannabis business licensing direct grant milestones are eligible to receive the grant amount associated with each milestone. To learn more or apply for a direct grant, please click here: Direct Grants Program |
Expedited application review |
Equity Businesses will receive priority application review, allowing them to move quicker through the application process. |
Cultivation tax deferrals |
Equity Businesses who applied for an adult-use cannabis cultivation license may pay their first year's taxes on a monthly payment plan instead of the full payment that is usually required prior to issuance of a cannabis cultivation business license. |
*Direct Technical Assistance |
Equity Applicants and Equity Businesses will have access to business consulting services to start, sustain and grow a viable cannabis business in Long Beach. |
*Note: Fee waivers (except for application fees), direct grants and direct technical assistance are made available through grant funding provided by the State of California. Grant funding will only be available until funds are exhausted, or until the State mandated expiration of the equity grant program, whichever occurs sooner.
Steps to Open an Equity Business
Step 1: Check to see if you qualify as an Equity Applicant |
To qualify as an Equity Applicant, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
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Step 2: Get Verified as an Equity Applicant |
Submit a Cannabis Social Equity Program Verification Form along with supporting documentation to the Cannabis Equity Program Team. Economic Devlopment Department Due to COVID-19, City Hall is currently closed to the public. During this time, cannabis social equity program applications may only be submitted by mail or email to the address above. Individuals who qualify as Equity Applicants will receive a letter verifying their status as an Equity Applicant in the program. |
Step 3: Meet the Equity Business Ownership Requirement |
To qualify as an Equity Business, Equity Applicants must have a minimum of 51% ownership of the business applying for an Adult-Use Cannabis Business License. The requirement can be met by one or multiple Equity Applicants collectively. |
Step 4: Apply for an Adult-Use Cannabis Business License |
To apply for an adult-use cannabis business license, please complete the following steps:
Long Beach City Hall
Due to COVID-19, City Hall is currently closed to the public. During this time, cannabis business license applications may only be submitted by mail to the address above. For more information on the City's cannabis business license process, please visit the Cannabis Business Information webpage. |
Have a question?
Please contact the Cannabis Equity Program Team by visiting the Contact Us page.