Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions

Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development · State of California

At a glance

Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions is a closed California state grant opportunity from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (State of California). The application deadline was December 8, 2025. Total estimated funding is $15M. Applicant types listed as eligible include public agency. It is listed on the California Grants Portal. Cost sharing is not required.

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

A newer round of this program is posted now.See the current notice →

Key facts

Oct 8, 2025Posted
Dec 8, 2025Application deadline

Opened: Oct 8, 2025
Close date: Dec 8, 2025
Award floor: Not specified
Award ceiling: Not specified
Est. total funding: $15,000,000
Expected awards: Not specified
Matching funds: Not required
Funding instrument: Grant

Program details (as published on the California Grants Portal)

Type: Grant
Funding source: State
Matching funds: Not Required
Funding method: Advances & Reimbursement(s) — All grant funds must be expended within the 19-month grant term.
Estimated number of awards: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Estimated award amounts: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Award period: 19 months
Expected award announcement: March 2026
Letter of intent: Not required
Geography: Must be a California city, county or city and county.
How to submit: Online: https://www.cannabisequitygrants.business.ca.gov

Who can apply

Applicant categories as listed on the California Grants Portal. GrantsJunction maps them to detailed applicant types for search and matching.

Public Agency

Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)

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.

Can your organization apply?

A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Purpose and description as published on the California Grants Portal.

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.

Past applications & awards

Historical data · not a prediction

Reported by the agency for this listing

Fiscal year 2025–2617 applications · 14 awards

Counts as published on the California Grants Portal. Award counts can read zero until decisions are announced.

Program contact (as published)

CEG Program
ceg@gobiz.ca.gov
1-916-322-2683

Quick answers

Who is eligible to apply for “Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions”?

The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Public Agency. It adds: “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.” Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.

How much funding is available through “Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions”?

Per the notice, total estimated program funding is $15,000,000.

How do I apply for “Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions”?

Applications go directly to Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, not through GrantsJunction. Submission: online at https://www.cannabisequitygrants.business.ca.gov. Read the program guidelines on the agency's site first; state programs set their own forms and registration requirements.

Other open California state opportunities, matched on agency, categories and wording.

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