The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz), in partnership with the Bureau of Cannabis Control recently awarded the County of Humboldt $1,055,870 in funding through the Cannabis Equity Grants (CEG) Program.
The CEG funding will be administered through one of three of Humboldt County’s cannabis-focused Project Trellis programs, the Local Equity Program, and will go to help applicants and licensees by providing grants, reduced licensing fees or waived fees and assistance with cannabis licensing and regulatory requirements. The other two tiers of Project Trellis include the Cannabis Business Micro-Grant Program, and the Humboldt County Cannabis Marketing Program, to advance the county’s presence in the industry, both funded through the Measure S, the county’s local cannabis cultivation tax.
“Our office is pleased to continue to support this program which is critical to the success of our cannabis industry,” said Scott Adair, Director of Economic Development for the County of Humboldt. “Programs like these will also be crucial to our post-COVID economic recovery. These funds will aid in the county’s efforts to stimulate local livelihoods and to create prosperity for Humboldt County residents.”
State Cannabis Equity Funding
The Cannabis Equity Grants and the state equity program aim to advance economic justice for populations and communities disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition by providing funding to local jurisdictions that are committed to promoting equity in the legal cannabis industry. Selected as a recipient of the award for a third time, Humboldt County was among one of 10 cities and counties this year to receive the grant funding. Since 2019, Humboldt County has been awarded $4.7 million in total. Local project awards for equity funding are recommended by the Project Trellis Committee, and the county is currently finalizing contracts to provide the program’s services.
“Cannabis probation and criminalization had had devasting impacts on generations of Californians,” said Nicole Elliott, senior advisor on cannabis to Governor Newsom. “As we work to safely reopen our economy, leading with equity across all sectors will ensure a just recovery and further our commitment to create a truly diverse legal industry.
For more information, visit the Project Trellis webpage or contact the County of Humboldt Economic Development Specialist Peggy Murphy, at Project Trellis@co.humboldt.ca.us or call 707-599-0125.
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