Cannabis Local Jurisdiction Retail Access Grant- Phase I

Purpose

Nearly two-thirds of California cities and counties do not allow the establishment of any regulated cannabis retailers within their jurisdictions. This limits consumer access to regulated, tested cannabis and cannabis products. The Retail Access Grant provides local governments with resources to develop and implement cannabis retailer licensing programs. Up to $20 million total funding is available, distributed in two phases.

Description

The Retail Access Grant provides local governments with resources to develop and implement cannabis retailer licensing programs. Up to $20 million total funding is available, distributed in two phases. A local jurisdiction (city or county) is eligible for funding if it both: Does not currently have a cannabis retail licensing program, and Has a plan to develop and implement a cannabis retail licensing program Funding can be used for: Support of equity applicants and licensees Environmental reviews Permitting expenses Personnel costs By providing this assistance to cities and counties, the Retail Access Grant aims to: Provide consumers with reliable access to regulated, tested cannabis; Reduce demand in the illicit market; Establish enough cannabis retail stores statewide to meet existing consumer demand. Funding Rounds Funding will be distributed in two phases: Phase I provides funding to support local jurisdictions in the development and implementation of a local cannabis retailer licensing program.Up to $10 million in total funding is available in Phase I, and awards will be announced by June 20, 2023. Phase II awards additional funding after the local jurisdiction issues cannabis retailer permits.At least $10 million in total funding is available; awards will be made for each cannabis retailer permit issued by a Phase I recipient, beginning on or after June 30, 2023. Additional funding will be awarded in both phases of this grant program for local governments that adopt equity programs and issue cannabis retailer licenses to equity businesses. Priority Funding This grant program prioritizes funding to local jurisdictions that: Propose to assist cannabis equity businesses; Address gaps in consumer access to safe and regulated cannabis; Plan to permit cannabis retailers through existing business permitting processes; Local jurisdictions that meet these criteria will be eligible for priority points. Applications with priority points will be processed first.