SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - State officials have awarded the City of Sacramento $2.5 million to support equity efforts in the local cannabis industry.

The funding comes from the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions, administered by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz). Sacramento received the second largest allocation from the program’s $15 million statewide funding pool, behind Los Angeles.

The city previously received this funding, which has helped support participants in the city’s Cannabis Opportunity Reinvestment and Equity (CORE) program.

“This grant expands the support available to CORE participants as they navigate the cannabis industry and build sustainable businesses,” said Al Romero-Gibu, who leads the city’s Office of Cannabis Management.

The grant funding will provide technical assistance and business support for CORE participants. Services may include guidance on legal and regulatory compliance, accounting and taxes, construction and architecture, security planning, marketing and branding, human resources and labor matters, and commercial real estate.

The city established the CORE program in 2018 to help reduce barriers to entry in the local cannabis industry. 

The program provides training, mentoring, financial assistance and other support to individuals affected by the disproportionate enforcement of cannabis-related laws.

Sacramento is one of 14 jurisdictions across California to receive local equity funding from the state this year.

The city also continues to expand its local cannabis regulatory framework. In 2024, the City Council approved a pilot program for cannabis social consumption and the city is developing regulations for cannabis consumption lounges and related zoning updates.

For more information about the CORE program, visit sacramentocore.org.