Mission
Cannabis criminalization has had long-term, adverse impacts to the City of Los Angeles, particularly for low income and minority community members that have been subject to disparate enforcement of past cannabis law. To address these harms, the City Council incorporated a Social Equity Program (SEP) into DCR’s regulations as a restorative justice tool and to center equity in the City’s cannabis framework. The Mission of the Social Equity Program is to promote equitable ownership and employment opportunities in the cannabis industry, with the purpose of decreasing disparities in life outcomes for marginalized communities directly impacted by the War on Drugs.
Program Overview
The Social Equity Program offers eligible individuals various financial, legal, and business resources to support applicants and licensees on their entrepreneurial journey – including access to free one-on-one business coaching, free and low cost legal services, and more. Periodically, the SEP also secures grants to help defray the costs of licensing fees for applicants and licensees or direct financial assistance. To learn more or to see if you qualify, click here.
California Cannabis Local Jurisdiction Equity Grant
The California Cannabis Equity Act of 2018 and the Budget Act of 2019 appropriated State funding to local jurisdictions for the purpose of developing and operating cannabis equity programs to support individuals disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization. Through this grant, over the years the City of Los Angeles has been awarded approximately $15.8 million to provide direct assistance to equity applicants and equity licensees that are part of DCR’s Social Equity Program.
In accordance with related grant agreements, the City is required to submit periodic reports to document its progress assisting Local Equity Applicants and/or Local Equity Licensees. DCR will regularly engage with applicants and licensees to request information related to these periodic reports.
Program Updates
Keep up with the Social Equity Program by reading the latest news and updates here.