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What should the County consider for the Program?
Tell us. Submit your responses in the survey below. Open until June 30.
Social Equity Entrepreneurs 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 effortsprioritize social equity, access, and business opportunitiesto 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 programbe 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 Entrepreneurs Program (‘Entrepreneurs Program’) must be developed and implemented concurrently with the development ofthe ordinance amendments and new permitting system.
The goal of the Entrepreneurs Program is to ensure that those negatively or adversely impactedby cannabis criminalization be provided the opportunity to successfully participate in the regulated cannabis market (California Cannabis Equity Act). To that end, the Entrepreneurs Program would include different types of assistance to support eligible applicants and may include investing back into impacted communities.
In developing the Entrepreneurs Program, many factors will be considered including:
- Accessibility
- Equity
- State and local cannabis laws and guidelines
- Investment into impacted communities
- Stakeholder input
Your Participation
We want your help in developing the Entrepreneurs Program. Have an idea, suggestion, or comment to help the County identify what the final Entrepreneurs Program will include? These suggestions may address the Entrepreneurs Program's eligibility requirements, the types of assistance an Entrepreneurs Program participant could receive, and/or potential benefits to the community.
We appreciate your time and suggestions, in particular those that are solutions focused.
What should the County consider for the Program?
Tell us. Submit your responses in the survey below. Open until June 30.
Social Equity Entrepreneurs 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 effortsprioritize social equity, access, and business opportunitiesto 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 programbe 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 Entrepreneurs Program (‘Entrepreneurs Program’) must be developed and implemented concurrently with the development ofthe ordinance amendments and new permitting system.
The goal of the Entrepreneurs Program is to ensure that those negatively or adversely impactedby cannabis criminalization be provided the opportunity to successfully participate in the regulated cannabis market (California Cannabis Equity Act). To that end, the Entrepreneurs Program would include different types of assistance to support eligible applicants and may include investing back into impacted communities.
In developing the Entrepreneurs Program, many factors will be considered including:
- Accessibility
- Equity
- State and local cannabis laws and guidelines
- Investment into impacted communities
- Stakeholder input
Your Participation
We want your help in developing the Entrepreneurs Program. Have an idea, suggestion, or comment to help the County identify what the final Entrepreneurs Program will include? These suggestions may address the Entrepreneurs Program's eligibility requirements, the types of assistance an Entrepreneurs Program participant could receive, and/or potential benefits to the community.
We appreciate your time and suggestions, in particular those that are solutions focused.
Social Equity Entrepreneurs Program has finished this stage
Cannabis Social Equity Assessment completed in October 2022.
Phase 2
Social Equity Entrepreneurs Program is currently at this stage
Develop Entrepreneurs Program framework including participant qualifications and the types of assistance that may be provided by the Entrepreneur Program.
Prepare recommendations to present to Board of Supervisors for their consideration.
Phase 3
this is an upcoming stage for Social Equity Entrepreneurs Program
Launch the Entrepreneurs Program and begin accepting applications.
Phase 4
this is an upcoming stage for Social Equity Entrepreneurs Program
County’s Planning and Development Services to launch cannabis permitting process. The Social Equity Entrepreneurs Program participants can then move forward with beginning their licensing journey.
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Socially Equitable Cannabis Program
The County of San Diego is developing the Board-directed Socially Equitable Cannabis Program (Program). The Program would allow additional commercial medicinal and adult-use cannabis operations in the unincorporated area of the County. The Program is needed to stop the operation of illegal and unlicensed dispensaries, advance social equity, and ensure all state regulations are followed.
As of October 2021, the Board adopted ordinance amendments to allow the five existing cannabis dispensaries that were in operation in the unincorporated County prior to the County’s 2017 prohibition on new medical facilities to continue operations and expand commercial sales of medicinal and adult-use cannabis. Currently, no new dispensaries or other cannabis operations are permitted under the existing ordinances.
The County is committed to the development of a Program that facilitates greater equity in business ownership and employment in the regulated cannabis market by reducing the barriers to entry for those who have been impacted by cannabis related criminalization.
Visit the Socially Equitable Cannabis Program webpage for more information on the Program's components including licensing, ordinance amendments and the corresponding environmental review process.
