The Union
In an effort to advance economic justice for populations and communities impacted by cannabis prohibition and the war on drugs, the state of California awarded the Cannabis Compliance Division in Nevada County $500,000.
During Tuesday’s regular Nevada County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board accepted the award unanimously as a consent item.
The Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions funded through the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is currently welcoming applicants to apply for assistance.
Both current legal cannabis operators and those seeking to enter the regulated market may apply.
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, according to the GO-Biz website.
“This GO-Biz award continues to reduce barriers for cannabis applicants to enter into the regulated marketplace,” Matt Kelly, Code & Cannabis Compliance Director for Nevada County, said.
In Nevada County, those who meet at least one of the eligibility criteria shall become eligible for consideration for funding and services, according to Kelly.
“If they can demonstrate a nonviolent conviction history related to cannabis…any individual who can demonstrate their annual income is below the median income in Nevada County…trauma history such as a person who experienced sexual assault, exploitation, domestic violence, and/or human trafficking while participating in the cannabis industry (is eligible as is) any individual who became homeless or suffered a loss of housing as a result of cannabis enforcement,” according to the Nevada County Cannabis Local Equity Program Manual.
A previous grant award to the county’s Code & Cannabis Compliance Department in the amount of $755,895.55 from GO-Biz expired in October of 2024.
Tuesday’s cannabis equity award in the amount of $500,000 will allow efforts to support applicants with local and state fees, licensing, regulatory costs, and capital improvements to continue.
Additional resources such as professional consulting, environmental site development, business training, and compliance assistance may also help members of the cannabis industry who want to come into compliance.
Through the Sierra Business Council, the Nevada County Cannabis Compliance Division awarded $650,450.85 in grant funds to 106 qualified applicants, according to the staff report for Tuesday’s meeting.
“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,” Diana Gamzon, Executive Director of Nevada County Cannabis Alliance said.
