California awards $15 million in cannabis social equity grants

404 0

The funds are being distributed after the state previously gave out $40 million

In an effort to reward the good work of all those cities that have opted for social equity programs, the state of California will be awarding a total of $15 million in grant money. A total of 10 cities and counties will benefit from this money, after taking the initiative to help all those minorities that in one way or another have been affected by the drug war related to the legal marijuana market.

This is not the first time something of this magnitude has been done and is the third round of state funding for cities with existing social equity programs. This allocation has been granted by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office of Economic and Business Development and the state’s Bureau of Cannabis Control, building on the $40 million previously granted to help this part of the population.

According to some news reports, a minimum of $11.5 million will go directly to those who claim to be social equity entrepreneurs, so that they can get it in the form of loans or grants. “As we work to safely reopen our economy, leading with equity across all sectors will ensure a just recovery and further our commitment to creating a truly diverse legal industry,” said Nicole Elliott, senior adviser on cannabis to the governor.

The recipients and their grant awards include Oakland ($2.4 million), San Francisco, ($2 million), Los Angeles ($2 million), Sacramento ($1.8 million), Long Beach ($1.2 million), Fresno, ($1.2 million), Humboldt County ($1 million), Lake County ($888,000), Palm Springs ($869,000) and Mendocino County ($832,000).