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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.
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 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 Programmust be developed and implemented concurrently with the development ofthe ordinance amendments and new permitting system.
The goal of the Social Equity 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 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.
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 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 Programmust be developed and implemented concurrently with the development ofthe ordinance amendments and new permitting system.
The goal of the Social Equity 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 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:
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CLOSED: These community sessions have now concluded.
The County is hosting community sessions to provide an update on the Social Equity Program and answer questions about the program's application process.
Both community sessions will provide the same information and
opportunities to ask questions.
Join us to:
Learn about the Social Equity Program
Get an overview of the eligibility criteria to participate in the program
Review information on how to apply to see if you qualify for the program
Discover more ways to stay in touch and receive update on future program opportunities
Future Session Information
August 22, 2024
Spring Valley Community Center - 6pm
8735 Jamacha Blvd, Spring Valley, 91977
October 24, 2024
Jaxx Cannabis - TBD
1210 Olive St, Ramona, 92065
Let us know if you will be joining us and request language and accessibility services below.
Disability-related modifications or accommodations necessary to facilitate participation in this virtual meeting, language interpretation, including American Sign Language, and written materials in languages and formats are available upon request. Please submit your request at least 72 hours in advance through this form or email engage@sandiegocounty.ca.gov.
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Cannabis Social Equity Assessment completed in October 2022.
Phase 2
Social Equity Program has finished 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
Social Equity Program is currently at this stage
Launch the Entrepreneurs Program and begin accepting applications.
this is an upcoming stage for Social Equity 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.
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.
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