The following is a press release from the City of Santa Monica.
The city of Santa Monica seeks applications for $500 microgrants for community members to host discussions that would shape the social equity component of the city’s adult-use cannabis program.
The microgrant can be used to support the community-led discussions in minimizing barriers for participation, such as providing childcare, food, interpretation, paying a notetaker or other relevant accommodation. Input from community-led discussions in addition to the recent digital survey will provide valuable input in shaping the city’s cannabis social equity program.
Santa Monica’s cannabis social equity program aims to address the disproportionate impact of past cannabis criminalization on marginalized communities, especially communities of color, by providing opportunities for those who have been negatively affected by cannabis prohibition to participate in the legal cannabis industry.
As part of the broader adult-use cannabis policy, a social equity program ensures that the benefits of legalization — such as business opportunities, jobs and economic growth — are accessible to all members of the community.
Microgrant applications are open through Dec. 31 and available here. Awards will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information about the Santa Monica Cannabis Social Equity Program, visit santamonica.gov/cannabis-social-equity.