Social Equity Programs Coming to Local CannabisPosted by On

A billboard advertising a Kearny Mesa dispensary / Image vis Shutterstock
A billboard advertising a Kearny Mesa dispensary / Image vis Shutterstock

Before cannabis became legal for adult use in California, many of its backers argued it was needed to stop the disproportionate prosecution of Black, Brown and low-income communities. But many of those same people have had a hard time breaking into the industry.

To correct the injustices brought by the War on Drugs, municipalities across the state have experimented with social equity programs, which typically offer tax breaks and other incentives.

Both San Diego city and county are late to the game, but Jackie Bryant explains why that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Other municipalities have struggled to create meaningful social equity programs and there are some lessons to be learned in retrospect.

The one in Los Angeles, for example, has been slow to get off the ground and mired in complaints that it’s too bureaucratic and actually harming the people it’s supposed to help. 

To get it right locally, the county is talking to a group of stakeholders, looking to tap an outside expert and having its Office of Racial Justice and Equity take the lead. At least one advocate, however, is concerned that the county’s rhetoric has yet to match its actions. 

Click here to read the full story. 

Mark your calendar: VOSD is hosting a panel discussion on this topic on Sept. 28. Bryant will be moderating. Register here for the free event.

National City Settles with Family of Earl McNeil 

The…

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A billboard advertising a Kearny Mesa dispensary / Image vis Shutterstock
A billboard advertising a Kearny Mesa dispensary / Image vis Shutterstock

Before cannabis became legal for adult use in California, many of its backers argued it was needed to stop the disproportionate prosecution of Black, Brown and low-income communities. But many of those same people have had a hard time breaking into the industry.

To correct the injustices brought by the War on Drugs, municipalities across the state have experimented with social equity programs, which typically offer tax breaks and other incentives.

Both San Diego city and county are late to the game, but Jackie Bryant explains why that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Other municipalities have struggled to create meaningful social equity programs and there are some lessons to be learned in retrospect.

The one in Los Angeles, for example, has been slow to get off the ground and mired in complaints that it’s too bureaucratic and actually harming the people it’s supposed to help. 

To get it right locally, the county is talking to a group of stakeholders, looking to tap an outside expert and having its Office of Racial Justice and Equity take the lead. At least one advocate, however, is concerned that the county’s rhetoric has yet to match its actions. 

Click here to read the full story. 

Mark your calendar: VOSD is hosting a panel discussion on this topic on Sept. 28. Bryant will be moderating. Register here for the free event.

National City Settles with Family of Earl McNeil 

The…



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