Title
a. Approve and authorize the Cannabis Program Manager to execute an Agreement with University Corporation at Monterey Bay, for the term July 15, 2020 through May 31, 2021, for the purpose of conducting an equity assessment in the amount of $99,999; and
b. Approve the Cannabis Program Manager's recommendation to accept non-standard provisions in the Agreement.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Cannabis Program Manager to execute an Agreement with University Corporation at Monterey Bay, for the term July 15, 2020 through May 31, 2021, for the purpose of conducting an equity assessment in the amount of $99,999.00;
b. Approve the Cannabis Program Manager's recommendation to accept non-standard provisions in the Agreement; and
c. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On May 12, 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Monterey County Cannabis Program Manager to execute a grant agreement with the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development to receive grant funding in the amount of $150,000 to conduct an equity assessment to identify marginalized segments within Monterey County and groups of individuals most impacted by economic disparities and cannabis arrest/conviction rates which will inform the creation of a local equity program.
The funding of an equity assessment will be used to inform the creation of a local equity program. A local equity program would foster equitable ownership and employment opportunities and ensure the cannabis industry is representative of the County's population by supporting populations and communities that have been negatively or disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs.
Program staff have identified a resource with experience in policy analysis and program evaluation to conduct the equity assessment: Dr. Kim Judson and Dr. Ignacio Navarro from the Institu...
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