Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions
Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions supports California local governments’ equity assessments, program development, and business assistance to reduce barriers in the legal cannabis market.
Funder: California Governor's Office of Business & Economic Development (GO-Biz)
Due Dates: December 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm (Application) | January 1, 2027 (Prior-recipient annual reports)
Funding Amounts: Up to $75,000 (Type 1) or $3,500,000 (Type 2); grant term April 1, 2027–October 31, 2028
Summary: Supports California local cannabis equity assessments, program development, and assistance for equity applicants and licensees.
Key Information: Only California cities, counties, and cities and counties may apply; each jurisdiction may submit one application.
Description
GO-Biz administers the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions to advance economic justice for people most harmed by cannabis criminalization and poverty. The program supports local governments as they reduce barriers to licensure, business ownership, and employment in California’s regulated cannabis industry.
Funding supports cannabis equity assessments and local equity program development, or assistance to local equity applicants and licensees. Assistance can include startup and ongoing business funding, technical support, and regulatory compliance help. The program advances Proposition 64’s intent to reduce barriers to entering the legal market and supports California’s goal of reducing the illicit cannabis market. Local equity programs are expected to address the specific systemic barriers faced by the communities identified in their equity assessments.
