Social Equity Program

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Applications for the Social Equity Program are currently not being accepted. Applications are projected to open again in Fall/Winter 2024.


Social Equity Program Launched

On May 1st, 2024, the Board of Supervisors accepted staff recommendations for the program, including eligibility criteria, establishment of Cannabis Oversight Community Collaborative, and social equity related ordinances.

Please see the April 30th Board Agenda and Attachments for Item 31 - Cannabis Social Equity Program.

The County with assistance from our vendor, Cannabis Education Project, began accepting applications on June 22nd and Phase 1 of Applications closed on August 23rd. Applications are projected to open again in Fall/Winter 2024.

Social Equity Program Framework Development

The County of San Diego is working to develop ordinance amendments and a new permitting system that would allow for additional commercial medicinal and adult-use cannabis operations in the unincorporated area of the County. The Board directed that these efforts prioritize social equity, access, and business opportunities to help rectify the disproportionate and adverse impacts on people of color and communities caused by the War on Drugs. Specifically, the Board directed that a social equity program be included as part of the wider proposed Socially Equitable Cannabis Program.

The social equity program is to be in place prior to the issuance of the first permit. To accomplish this, the proposed Social Equity Program must be developed and implemented concurrently with the development of the ordinance amendments and new permitting system.

The goal of the Social Equity Program is to ensure that those negatively or adversely impacted by cannabis criminalization be provided the opportunity to successfully participate in the regulated cannabis market (California Cannabis Equity Act). To that end, the Social Equity Program would include different types of assistance to support eligible applicants and may include investing back into impacted communities.

In developing the Social Equity Program, many factors will be considered including:

- Accessibility

- Equity

- State and local cannabis laws and guidelines

- Investment into impacted communities

- Stakeholder input

Applications for the Social Equity Program are currently not being accepted. Applications are projected to open again in Fall/Winter 2024.


Social Equity Program Launched

On May 1st, 2024, the Board of Supervisors accepted staff recommendations for the program, including eligibility criteria, establishment of Cannabis Oversight Community Collaborative, and social equity related ordinances.

Please see the April 30th Board Agenda and Attachments for Item 31 - Cannabis Social Equity Program.

The County with assistance from our vendor, Cannabis Education Project, began accepting applications on June 22nd and Phase 1 of Applications closed on August 23rd. Applications are projected to open again in Fall/Winter 2024.

Social Equity Program Framework Development

The County of San Diego is working to develop ordinance amendments and a new permitting system that would allow for additional commercial medicinal and adult-use cannabis operations in the unincorporated area of the County. The Board directed that these efforts prioritize social equity, access, and business opportunities to help rectify the disproportionate and adverse impacts on people of color and communities caused by the War on Drugs. Specifically, the Board directed that a social equity program be included as part of the wider proposed Socially Equitable Cannabis Program.

The social equity program is to be in place prior to the issuance of the first permit. To accomplish this, the proposed Social Equity Program must be developed and implemented concurrently with the development of the ordinance amendments and new permitting system.

The goal of the Social Equity Program is to ensure that those negatively or adversely impacted by cannabis criminalization be provided the opportunity to successfully participate in the regulated cannabis market (California Cannabis Equity Act). To that end, the Social Equity Program would include different types of assistance to support eligible applicants and may include investing back into impacted communities.

In developing the Social Equity Program, many factors will be considered including:

- Accessibility

- Equity

- State and local cannabis laws and guidelines

- Investment into impacted communities

- Stakeholder input

  • Grant Drawing Recipients

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    The Cannabis Social Equity Grant Drawing was completed on September 18th. Grant recipients will each receive $28,000. The grant funding comes from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development's Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions.

    The ten recipients are (in no particular order): Chauncie M., Albert P., Mark D., Patrick B., Richard H., Vincent S., Christopher A., Howard H., Chad N., and Andrew B.

  • Social Equity Program Grant Drawing

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    Grant Drawing for verified social equity applicants will be held September 18th at 2pm. Ten grant recipients will receive $28,000 each.

    Attend in-person at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 310 (Chambers), San Diego, CA 92101. Or attend virtually via Zoom at https://sdcounty-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/89044570983.

  • CYCLE 1 APPLICATIONS CLOSED

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    Become a Social Equity Entrepreneur! The Cannabis Social Equity Program application is now live. To apply, please visit the Cannabis Equity Eligibility Application website.

    Applications for cycle 1 of the program are due by August 23, 2024. There will be opportunities to apply for future application periods. The next one will open in fall/winter 2024.

    The application will help determine if you meet the program’s eligibility requirements. All applicants who meet the requirements will be contacted by the County.

    Those who qualify will receive various benefits. These include expungement assistance, and one-on-one mentoring, training – workshops, webinars, and classes to help program participants prepare for the opportunity to open a cannabis business in the unincorporated area of the county.

    This application cycle also includes a grant lottery. Ten awardees will be selected on September 18th. Additional future grant opportunities may be available depending on funding.


    Eligibility Criteria

    To be eligible, an equity applicant must be at least 21 years of age at the time of application and meet criteria for Tier A OR criteria for Tier B.

    Tier A

    • Incarcerated for San Diego County arrest or conviction for any crime under the laws of the State of California or United States related to the sale, possession, use, manufacture, or cultivation of Cannabis that occurred prior to November 8, 2016.

    Tier B

    • Deported, Arrested, or Convicted: In San Diego County for any crime under the laws of the State of California or United States related to the sale, possession, use, manufacture, or cultivation of cannabis that occurred prior to November 8, 2016, AND
    • Low Income– 80% or below of the Area Median Income (San Diego County) determined by US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
  • Community Info Session - Cannabis Social Equity Program

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    The County of San Diego Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) in collaboration with Cannabis Education Project will hold an in-person meeting on August 22nd, 2024, at 6pm - Spring Valley Community Center, 8735 Jamacha Blvd, Spring Valley, CA 91977. This is part of the public outreach for the Cannabis Social Equity Program. The specific topics include program structure, application process, eligibility parameters, program benefits and timeline for the Cannabis Social Equity Program.

    Information collected will help assist in informing the Cannabis Social Equity Program.

  • Community Info Session - Cannabis Social Equity Program

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    The County of San Diego Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) in collaboration with Cannabis Education Project will hold an in-person meeting on August 8th, 2024, at 4pm - Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine St, Lakeside, 92040. This is part of the public outreach for the Cannabis Social Equity Program. The specific topics include program structure, application process, eligibility parameters, program benefits and timeline for the Cannabis Social Equity Program.

    Information collected will help assist in informing the Cannabis Social Equity Program.

  • Survey Extended!

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    The survey has been extended through June 30, 2023. Please take the time to share your perspective.

  • Listening Session - Cannabis Social Equity Program

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    The County of San Diego Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) held a virtual listening session meeting on May 18, 2023 at 6pm. This is part of the public outreach for the Cannabis Social Equity Program. The specific topics include program structure, eligibility parameters, program benefits and timeline for the Cannabis Social Equity Program.

    This event has passed, but information collected will help assist in informing the Cannabis Social Equity Program. If you could not attend, please take the survey.

  • Listening Session - Cannabis Social Equity Program

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    The County of San Diego Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) held a virtual listening session meeting on April 13, 2023 at 6pm. This is part of the public outreach for the Cannabis Social Equity Program. The specific topics include program structure, eligibility parameters, program benefits and timeline for the Cannabis Social Equity Program.

    This event has passed, but information collected will help assist in informing the Cannabis Social Equity Program. If you could not attend, please take the survey.

  • Survey Now Available

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    The County wants your feedback on the Social Equity Entrepreneurs Program. Please take the time to share your perspective with us.

  • Board of Supervisors Update

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    The Board accepted the Social Equity Assessment and allowed for the Office of Equity and Racial Justice to apply for and accept the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development grant funding.

Page last updated: 18 Sep 2024, 03:39 PM