The Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) has concluded its review of all eligible Phase 3 Retail Round 1 (P3RR1) applications and identified 200 Social Equity Individual Applicants eligible for further processing. Now determined eligible for further processing, these 200 Applicants may receive Temporary Approval to operate a commercial cannabis business. With the conclusion of Phase 3 Retail Round 1, the City of Los Angeles boasts the nation’s largest cohort of Social Equity Applicants to have access to cannabis retail license and business ownership opportunities.
All 200 P3RR1 applicants were verified under eligibility criteria for the Social Equity Program related to income, residency in an area disproportionately impacted by cannabis enforcement and record of a California cannabis arrest or conviction.
“Though we recognize there’s still much work to be done to create a more equitable society and cannabis industry, the Department takes great pride in the progress we’ve made through meeting this milestone whereby through the City’s Social Equity Program, the nation’s largest cohort of Social Equity Applicants now have an opportunity for licensure for one of the most sought after commercial cannabis license types,” stated Executive Director Cat Packer.
This cohort of Social Equity Applicants will have access to innovative programming and resources currently developed by the Department, including a Pro Bono Legal Services Initiative and Financial Grant Program, which will assist applicants through the Temporary Approval process.
Social Equity Program Director, Dr. Imani Brown added, “DCR is dedicated to creating pathways to participation and prosperity in the cannabis industry for our current and future Social Equity Applicants and will continue to develop and improve resources and programs that support our social equity community.”
A list of the 200 Applicants eligible for further processing can be found here and is also available on the website under the Social Equity Program menu’s Program Benefits and Resources tab.