Social Equity Program

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.

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.

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 18^th. 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

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).

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.