Title
a. Receive a report outlining the need for an administrative manual and revisions to the Monterey County Growing Equity Together Program framework; and
b. Adopt the proposed administrative manual and revisions to the Monterey County Growing Equity Together Program framework. (REVISED VIA SUPPLEMENTAL)
Report
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a report outlining the need for an administrative manual and revisions to the Monterey County Growing Equity Together Program framework; and
b. Adopt the proposed administrative manual and revisions to the Monterey County Growing Equity Together Program framework.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION
In August 2021, the Cannabis Program (Program) presented the findings of the equity assessment (Assessment), which was funded by the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) Tier 1 grant award. Staff was directed to develop an equity program structure and applicant criteria and return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) to gain policy direction. In October 2021, the Program presented a proposed framework for the Monterey County Growing Equity Together (GET) Program. In December 2021, the Board adopted the GET Program, which authorized staff to apply for a GO-Biz Tier 2 grant.
Below are the qualifying criteria and benefits initially adopted by the Board:
Criteria
* Initial qualifier
o Applicant is not applying for a cultivation license for a premises that exceeds one acre of total canopy for outdoor cultivation, or 22,000 square feet for mixed-light or indoor cultivation
* Convicted of a non-violent, cannabis-related offense.
o This is to help ensure that harms caused by the War on Drugs are addressed and reversed.
* An individual from any group with a protected status.
o This is to help ensure diverse representation throughout the cannabis industry.
* Household income is below the California poverty level.
o This is to help ensure that applicants are not utilizing fundin...
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