City of Long Beach Opens Applications for Cannabis Equity Program

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department (Department) is now accepting applications for its Cannabis Equity Program (Program), which strives to support entrepreneurs and businesses within the cannabis industry. Applications are available online and will remain open until funding is exhausted.

"The Cannabis Equity Program reflects the City's broader commitment to greater inclusion and opportunity in the growing cannabis industry," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "By supporting diverse ownership and providing critical capital and resources, we are creating new pathways for entrepreneurship, job creation and long-term community investment."

Facilitated by the Department's Business Development Bureau, in partnership with the City's Office of Cannabis Oversight, the Program will provide eligible applicants with up to $350,000 in grant funding, based on license type and business size. Funding can be utilized for startup costs, including rent/lease payments, local licensing and regulatory fees, legal assistance, regulatory compliance, capital improvements, equipment and more.

To qualify, applicants must meet various requirements, including:

• Have a family income at or below 80% of the Los Angeles County area median income (AMI) and a net worth under $250,000
• Have lived at least five years in a Long Beach area where most residents earn below 80% of the AMI
• Either were arrested or convicted for a cannabis-related offense between 1971 to 2016 or have an immediate family member who was

Additional information regarding eligibility and requirements is available on the Program webpage.

"Through this Program, we're fostering a more inclusive cannabis industry and ensuring that businesses have the tools needed to thrive," said Economic Development Department Director Bo Martinez. "These grants are an investment in local talent, helping to expand business ownership and generate more economic opportunities for our community."

In April 2025, the City announced it had been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). Since 2023, more than $2.1 million in grant funding has been issued to Program applications for cannabis businesses citywide. In July 2018, the Long Beach City Council approved the Adult-Use Cannabis Business Ordinance, which included the creation of the Program to support equitable opportunities in the local cannabis industry by making legal cannabis business ownership and employment opportunities more accessible to individuals negatively impacted by the prior criminalization of cannabis. This support includes access to resources such as prioritized licensing and permitting, expedited application review, fee waivers and deferrals, and technical and financial assistance to start and grow their business in Long Beach.

Additional Program information is available at longbeach.gov/cannabis. Those who are interested in applying or have questions may email [email protected].

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more information about the Long Beach Economic Development Department, visit longbeach.gov/ed, and follow on Facebook, X and Instagram. Stay up to date on business news by signing up for the City's Business Brief.

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