California localities that support cannabis dispensaries are receiving a cash injection of $4.1 million funding.
With nearly two-thirds of California cities and counties having no regulated cannabis retailers, consumer access to regulated, tested cannabis and cannabis products is limited.
The state’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) is working to curb the illicit market that still exists despite cannabis legalisation in the state with the launch of its $20 million Local Jurisdiction Retail Access Grant program in February.
Localities that do not have enough dispensaries to meet consumer demand are being prioritised for the funding as the problem is fuelling the use of black market products.
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However, those that do not intent to licence any dispensaries will not be eligible for the program.
As well as curbing the illicit market, the programme aims to provide consumers with reliable access to regulated and tested cannabis and establish enough cannabis retail stores statewide to meet existing consumer demand.
The first phase of the programme, which has now commenced, is awarding $4.1 million of the $20 million pot across 18 jurisdictions. Marijuana Moment reports that $870,000 of the $4.1 million will go to 14 localities that are issuing licences “to equity applicants within their retail licensing programs.”
Localities will be permitted to use the funding for the support of equity applicants and licensees, environmental reviews, permitting expenses and personnel costs.
In a statement, Acting Director of DCC, Rasha Salama, noted that the programme aims to improve access to existing customers and is an “important step towards establishing legal pathways for legacy and social equity operators.”
