Title
a. Receive a status update on the Cannabis Program Growing Equity Together Program and its accompanying grant funding; and
b. Approve continuance of the Growing Equity Together Program to provide technical assistance and support without grant funding, or direct the Program to dissolve the Growing Equity Together Program; and
c. Provide further direction as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a status update on the Cannabis Program Growing Equity Together Program and its accompanying grant funding; and
b. Approve continuance of the Growing Equity Together Program to provide technical assistance and support without grant funding, or direct the Program to dissolve the Growing Equity Together Program; and
c. Provide further direction as appropriate.
DISCUSSION/SUMMARY:
This report has been prepared by the Cannabis Program (Program) to provide the Board Cannabis Committee (Committee) with a status update on the implementation of the Growing Equity Together (GET) Program and its accompanying grant funding and to request approval of proposed revisions to the GET Administrative Manual (Manual). The Program presented this item to the Committee on November 2, 2023. The Committee approved the recommendations and directed staff to present to the full Board.
In December 2019, Program staff applied for Type 1 funding through the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions (CEG) offered by the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). The County of Monterey (County) was awarded $150k to conduct an equity assessment. In August 2021, Program staff presented the findings of the equity assessment completed by California State University Monterey Bay. Staff returned to the Board of Supervisors (Board) in October 2021 with the proposed framework for a local equity program.
In December 2021, the Board adopted a resolution to authorize the creation and implementation of the GET Pro...
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