California has granted $15 million to 10 cities and counties that are part of social equity programs.
The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development and the Bureau of Cannabis Control announced the grant funding through the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions earlier this week.
Nicole Elliott, senior advisor on cannabis to Governor Gavin Newsom, disclosed that generations of Californians have experienced impacts of cannabis prohibition and criminalization.
The grant funding is poised to help those within the legal cannabis market that were disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs, California Cannabis Portal writes.
"As we work to safely reopen our economy, leading with equity across all sectors will ensure a just recovery and further our commitment to creating a truly diverse legal industry. These efforts stand as a testament to our values as a state, and I applaud the work being done by these jurisdictions as they thoughtfully embrace this challenge," Elliott stated.