California Department of Cannabis Control Awards $4.145 Million in Grants to Expand Access to Regulated Cannabis Retail

LOS ANGELES– In an effort to bolster access to licensed retail cannabis, the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) announced on Tuesday that it has granted a total of $4.145 million to 18 municipalities across the state. Notably, $870,000 of these grants have been allocated to jurisdictions seeking to issue licenses to operators who have historically borne the brunt of negative or disproportionate impacts stemming from cannabis prohibition.

Acting Director Rasha Salama of the Department of Cannabis Control emphasized the significance of this program, stating that it will greatly enhance access to regulated cannabis retail for over 2 million Californians who currently reside in areas with inadequate availability of licensed cannabis businesses.

Grant recipients are now empowered to utilize the allocated funds to develop retailer licensing programs, thereby facilitating the issuance of retail cannabis licenses. This encompasses a wide range of activities such as the formulation and adoption of ordinances, recruitment of personnel and contractors, organization of community outreach and engagement events, establishment of stakeholder workgroups or technical advisory committees, execution of economic studies and environmental assessments, development of application forms or online application portals, as well as the processing and issuance of cannabis retail licenses.

The initial round of funding was strategically directed towards regions in California where national surveys indicate high levels of cannabis consumption, but where legal access to regulated cannabis retail remains scarce. The DCC, in a press release, stated that it also incentivized local best practices by prioritizing programs that support social equity operators and leverage existing licensing and permitting procedures.

This initiative by the California Department of Cannabis Control reflects the state’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to licensed cannabis retail while promoting fairness and inclusivity within the industry. By allocating these grants, the DCC aims to alleviate barriers and ensure that Californians can benefit from the economic opportunities provided by the thriving cannabis market.