Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions

Who can apply

Public Agency

A local jurisdiction (a city, county, or city and county) that demonstrates an intent to develop a cannabis equity program or that has adopted or operates a cannabis equity program.

Where: Must be a California city, county or city and county.

Purpose

The purpose of the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions is to advance economic justice for populations and communities impacted by cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs by providing support to local jurisdictions as they promote equity in California and eliminate barriers to enter the newly regulated cannabis industry for equity program applicants and licensees.

Description

On November 8, 2016, California voters approved Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate, and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA). In its statement of purpose and intent, AUMA calls for regulating cannabis in a way that “reduces barriers to entry into the legal, regulated market.” GO-Biz administers the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions to aid local equity program efforts to support equity applicants and equity licensees. Offering technical support, regulatory compliance assistance, and assistance with securing the capital necessary to begin a business will further the stated intent of the AUMA by reducing barriers to licensure and employment in the regulated industry. Offering these types of support will also aid the state in its goal of eliminating or reducing the illicit cannabis market by bringing more people into the legal marketplace.

Important dates

Opened

Oct 8, 2026

Application deadline

Dec 1, 2026

Expected award announcement

March 2026

Period of performance

19 months

Funding details

Total estimated available

$15,000,000.00

Estimated amount per award

Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.

Expected number of awards

Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.

Letter of intent required

No

Matching funds

Not Required

Funding source

State

Funding method

Advances & Reimbursement(s)

Funding method notes

All grant funds must be expended within the 19-month grant term.

How to apply

Read the full guidelines on the grantor's site, then apply there. Nothing is submitted through this site.

Submission: url: https://www.cannabisequitygrants.business.ca.gov

• Grant guidelines & application ↗
• Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development ↗
• Grantor's own update list ↗
• Original listing on grants.ca.gov ↗

Questions about this grant: name: CEG Program; email: [email protected]; tel: 1-916-322-2683;