High hopes: Richmond receives $600,000 grant to support cannabis equity program
The City of Richmond has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to advance its Cannabis Equity Program.
The funding, part of an $18.4 million statewide effort, aims to reduce barriers for individuals disproportionately affected by past cannabis policies. Richmond will use the grant to provide financial assistance, business training, and technical support to equity applicants seeking to enter the legal cannabis industry.
“The Richmond Cannabis Equity Program is designed to eliminate financial and regulatory obstacles, ensuring equitable industry participation,” the city’s Economic Development Department stated in a staff report. “This grant will allow us to expand direct assistance, helping applicants navigate licensing and secure business spaces.”
The Richmond City Council is set to vote on a resolution on March 25 to formally accept the funds and authorize the city manager to execute agreements with GO-Biz. A $100,000 local match has been identified in the city’s fiscal year budget.
Richmond’s Cannabis Equity Program was established in 2021 following a City Council directive to address disparities in the industry. The program provides resources to individuals who have been negatively impacted by cannabis-related criminalization, particularly in low-income communities.
Since the Cannabis Equity Grants Program began, GO-Biz has awarded $123.4 million to local jurisdictions nationwide. Richmond joins 17 other cities and counties, including Los Angeles, Oakland, and Sacramento, in receiving funding in this latest round.
Officials say the funding will help bring more operators into the legal marketplace, reducing reliance on the illicit cannabis trade. “This initiative ensures that the cannabis industry does not replicate historical exclusionary practices but instead fosters economic opportunities for those most affected,” the staff report noted.
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