Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions
Forecasted
Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions supports California cities and counties in building equity programs and helping people harmed by cannabis criminalization enter the legal market.
Funder: California Governor's Office of Business & Economic Development (GO-Biz)
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Application due)
Funding Amounts: FY 2025–26: up to $75,000 (Type 1) or $3,500,000 (Type 2); grant term April 1, 2026–October 31, 2027
Summary: Supports California local jurisdictions developing cannabis equity programs and assisting equity applicants and licensees in the regulated market.
Key Information: Only California cities, counties, and cities and counties may apply; Type 2 requires an existing equity assessment and program.
Description
GO-Biz administers this program to help California local jurisdictions reduce barriers to entering the regulated cannabis industry. Funding supports cannabis equity assessments, local equity program development, and assistance for local equity applicants and licensees. That assistance can include grants or loans for business costs and direct technical support.
The program advances the intent of Proposition 64 and focuses on economic justice for people harmed by cannabis criminalization and poverty. By helping local programs support licensure, business ownership, and participation in the legal marketplace, it also contributes to the state’s goal of reducing the illicit cannabis market.
