By California Opens $15 Million Equity Grant Round
California has launched a new $15 million funding round to help cities and counties develop marijuana equity programs. The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced the fiscal year 2026-27 round of its Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions on October 1.
The online application portal is scheduled to open October 8. Applications are due by December 1 at 11:59 p.m.
The state is making $15 million available across two categories. Up to $1 million is reserved for jurisdictions seeking assistance creating a cannabis equity assessment or developing a local equity program.
Individual jurisdictions can request up to $75,000 under that category, including no more than $40,000 for conducting an equity assessment. The remaining funding will support existing local equity programs.
Jurisdictions with existing programs can request as much as $3.5 million. Those funds can be distributed to qualifying marijuana businesses through grants, no-interest loans or low-interest loans.
Matching Funds and Eligibility Rules
Awards above $750,000 generally require local matching funds on a 1-to-1 basis for the portion exceeding $750,000. For example, a jurisdiction receiving a $2 million award would be required to provide $1.25 million in matching funds.
Awards of $750,000 or less do not require a local match. Funds can also support direct technical assistance and program administration.
To qualify, an applicant must be a California city, county or city and county that intends to develop a marijuana equity program or already operates one. Jurisdictions seeking funding for existing programs must have completed an equity assessment, adopted or operated a local equity program and established eligibility criteria by the December deadline.
GO-Biz says the program is intended to reduce barriers to entering the regulated marijuana industry for people and communities disproportionately affected by prohibition. Assistance can include access to capital, business support, regulatory compliance help, licensing assistance and workforce services.
The state expects to evaluate applications between December 2 and February 26. Grant agreements will be executed no later than March 31.
Timeline and Previous Awards
The grant period will run from April 1, 2027, through October 31, 2028.
During the previous fiscal-year round, California awarded approximately $14.98 million. Los Angeles received the largest award at $3.5 million.
Sacramento received $2.5 million in that round. San Francisco followed at about $2.17 million.
The new round continues the state’s support for local equity efforts. Jurisdictions have until December 1 to submit their applications.
GO-Biz will review submissions before executing agreements by the end of March.
