In March 2022, the Los Angeles County Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) received a grant from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to conduct a social equity assessment and develop a cannabis equity program. Completed by academic researchers, the recently completed Pathways and Practices for Cannabis Social and Health Equity in Los Angeles County assesses current practices and provides recommendations to support an equitable cannabis industry.

The assessment includes 19 categories of preliminary recommendations for the County’s implementation of an equitable cannabis licensing program. Some of the key recommendations include:

• Prioritizing Equity in Licensing – Prioritizing individuals/communities directly impacted by the war on drugs (e.g., cannabis convictions and/or family with cannabis-related conviction).
• Simplified Application Process – Cross-departmental coordination, easy to use public information and material, and removal of initial property requirements until latter stage of licensing.
• One-Stop-Shop Technical Assistance – Providing services prior to licensing that includes legal support, financial guidance, employee training, business development.
• Financial Assistance – Reducing or waiving fees for qualified equity applicants and providing grants or repayable low interest rate loans of significant value.
• Develop a Workforce Development Pipeline – Create career pathways into cannabis and ancillary industries.