We NEED Equity
OUR VISION IS AN EQUITABLE AMERICA.
Cannabis criminalization and its enforcement has had long-term, adverse impacts to Los Angeles County, particularly for low income and minority community members.The Social Equity Program (SEP) is one tool local governments are using to begin to acknowledge and repair the harm caused by the War on Drugs and the disparate enforcement of cannabis prohibition.
In the cannabis industry, social equity describes people unfairly targeted by the war on drugs, and the disparate enforcement of cannabis prohibition, who are given priority in the cannabis licensing process.
The Last Prisoner Project
As cannabis legalization grows across the country, 40,000 people are still incarcerated on cannabis-related charges, according to The Last Prisoner Project.
The nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping each of those prisoners gain freedom, reenter society, and find employment in the legal cannabis industry. With a diverse advisory board and legal team, they also fight for total legislative reform and offer educational workshops.
If you want to get involved in their work, you can find a range of opportunities, from writing letters to signing petitions, on their website.
The road ahead
As the cannabis industry grows in size, it’s vital that the general public is constantly reminded of how previous laws and policies, under the guise of “drug reform,” served to harm marginalized communities in the United States.
Below we have listed more information about social equity programs across California.
San Francisco Office of Cannabis
San Francisco’s Cannabis Equity Program is designed to lower barriers to cannabis licensing for those hardest hit by the War on Drugs. The Equity Program does this by enabling verified Equity Applicants to apply for a cannabis permit in 2018.
In addition, Equity Applicants do not have to pay the $5,000 permit fee. They can also benefit from an incubator partnership that provides rent free space for 3 years or technical assistance to run their business.
For questions related to enforcement, the Equity Program, or permitting, visit room 018 at City Hall between 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, or call (415) 554-4420.
Long beach Cannabis Office
Individuals who qualify for the Equity Program and want to open an adult-use cannabis business in Long Beach are eligible to receive benefits and assistance to help navigate the City's cannabis application and licensing process.
To qualify for the Equity Program, individuals must be verified as Equity Applicants by the Office of Cannabis Oversight and then be verified as Equity Businesses by the Business License Division. To qualify as an Equity Business, Equity Applicants must have a minimum of 51% ownership of the entity that will apply for an Adult-Use Cannabis Business License.
For more information on the City's cannabis business license process, please visit the Cannabis Business Information webpage.
City of Oakland
In the Spring of 2017, the City Council enacted an Equity Permit Program that addresses disparities in the cannabis industry by prioritizing the victims of the war on drugs, and minimizing barriers of entry into the industry.
Cultivators, delivery-only dispensaries, distributors, testing laboratories, manufacturers and transporters may apply for cannabis permits. There is no limit on the number of permits that can be issued for those activities.
However, at least half of all permits must be issued to Equity applicants as described below.
Equity – Applicants who qualify for fee waivers plus technical and financial assistance based on income level and residential location or cannabis conviction.
General – All other applicants. A General applicant who incubates an Equity applicant by providing them with three years of free rent and security measures has priority over other General applicants.
OFFICE HOURS FOR CANNABIS BUSINESS: Monday - Fridays 9:30 am - 3:30 pm (Office is closed from 12-1 pm
Phone Number: 510-238-3671 or 510-238-3294
Email Address: cannabisapp@oaklandca.gov