2018 California Code
Business and Professions Code - BPC
DIVISION 10 - Cannabis
CHAPTER 23 - The California Cannabis Equity Act
Section 26240.

For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(a) “Eligible local jurisdiction” means a local jurisdiction that has adopted or operates a local equity program.

(b) “Local equity applicant” means an applicant who has submitted, or will submit, an application to a local jurisdiction to engage in commercial cannabis activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of that jurisdiction and who meets the requirements of that jurisdiction’s local equity program.

(c) “Local equity licensee” means a person who has obtained a license from a local jurisdiction to engage in commercial cannabis activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of that jurisdiction and who meets the requirements of that jurisdiction’s local equity program.

(d) “Local equity program” means a program adopted or operated by a local jurisdiction that focuses on inclusion and support of individuals and communities in California’s cannabis industry who are linked to populations or neighborhoods that were negatively or disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization. Local equity programs may include, but are not limited to, the following types of services:

(1) Small business support services offering technical assistance to those persons from economically disadvantaged communities that experience high rates of poverty or communities most harmed by cannabis prohibition, determined by historically high rates of arrests or convictions for cannabis law violations.

(2) Tiered fees or fee waivers for cannabis-related permits and licenses.

(3) Assistance in paying state regulatory and licensing fees.

(4) Assistance securing business locations prior to or during the application process.

(5) Assistance securing capital investments.

(6) Assistance with regulatory compliance.

(7) Assistance in recruitment, training, and retention of a qualified and diverse workforce, including transitional workers.

(e) “Transitional worker” means a person who, at the time of starting employment at the business premises, resides in a ZIP Code or census track area with higher than average unemployment, crime, or child death rates, and faces at least one of the following barriers to employment: (1) is homeless; (2) is a custodial single parent; (3) is receiving public assistance; (4) lacks a GED or high school diploma; (5) has a criminal record or other involvement with the criminal justice system; (6) suffers from chronic unemployment; (7) is emancipated from the foster care system; (8) is a veteran; or (9) is over 65 years of age and is financially compromised.

(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 794, Sec. 3. (SB 1294) Effective January 1, 2019.)