DCC Expands Eligibility and Increases Award Amounts for Local Jurisdiction Retail Access Grant

Press release from the Department of Cannabis Control:

Continuing its work to shift cannabis consumers from the illegal market into the legal market by expanding access to legal cannabis retail where such access does not currently exist, the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) is issuing revised and updated Phase II guidelines for the Local Jurisdiction Retail Access Grant (LJRAG), making it more accessible for local jurisdictions to apply for funding.

Designed to assist local jurisdictions in establishing cannabis retail licensing programs and issuing retail licenses, Phase II of the program also increases award amounts to local jurisdictions.

“There are still many locations throughout the state where cannabis usage is notable, but existing consumers do not have convenient access to legal retail cannabis,” said DCC Director Nicole Elliott. “We know that cannabis consumers often make purchasing choices based on convenience, so sufficient access to legal retail reinforces extremely important consumer safeguards.”

Phase II funding is tied to the local jurisdiction’s issuance of local permits or licenses authorizing cannabis retail. Under the revised Phase II guidelines released today, eligible local jurisdictions may apply for funding regardless if they participated in Phase I. This means that more than 300 cities and counties may be able to pursue funding in Phase II.

Phase II Eligible Applicants: Local jurisdictions (city, county, or city and county) that:

• Prior to July 1, 2022, did not have a cannabis retail licensing program in existence.

• Has a plan to develop and implement a cannabis retail licensing program; and
• Has issued one or more cannabis retail licenses to cannabis businesses within the jurisdiction of the city or county pursuant to that program.

In addition to expanding the eligibility for potential applicants, the Phase II funding amounts for the issuance of a retailer license and equity retailer license have been doubled. Now, a jurisdiction may receive $150,000 per eligible retailer license and $300,000 per eligible equity retailer license issued, subject to available funding. The previous amounts were $75,000 and $150,000.

$15 million will be available for award in Phase II. Phase I awarded $4.1 million in grants to 18 cities and counties throughout the state.

For more information on LJRAG, including the application deadlines, please visit our Local Jurisdiction Retail Access Grant webpage. 

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The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) licenses and regulates commercial cannabis activity within California. DCC works closely with all stakeholders, including businesses and local jurisdictions, to create a sustainable legal cannabis industry and a safe and equitable marketplace. DCC develops and implements progressive cannabis policies with robust protections for public health, safety, and the environment.

To learn more about the California cannabis market, state licenses or laws, visit www.cannabis.ca.gov.