LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Friday, April 22, the county of Lake published a new grant opportunity, for individuals that have experienced negative effects due to criminalization of cannabis.

Cannabis Local Equity Program grants are made possible through the partnership of the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, or GO-Biz.

The primary focus of the initial funding round will be direct grants. These will be prioritized through awards to smaller cultivators first.

There are additional programs referenced in the application that are not currently operational. If you are interested in those, we encourage you to apply and complete the relevant sections.

Providing this information will help the county partner with the state to establish demonstrated interest and need as future funding is available and program expansions are considered.

Please also note, demographic information requested on the county’s grant application is required pursuant to State-established guidelines for this funding opportunity.

Gathering this data is intended to ensure equitable access to funds, over time, by all eligible Californians.

Lake County’s Cannabis Local Equity Program was developed in response to California Senate Bill 1294, the California Cannabis Equity Act of 2018.

Through interviews and data, the Lake County Cannabis Equity Assessment identified the populations and neighborhoods most affected by the criminalization of cannabis in Lake County. The county’s assessment found small growers, for example, were disproportionately affected by past policies.

The findings of the cannabis equity assessment were then used to create the program’s equity eligibility requirements, which are outlined in the local equity program manual.

Additionally, the local equity program manual outlines services available to those who meet the eligibility requirements. The program implements state of California and county of Lake legislative goals to further equity among those impacted by the criminalization of cannabis.

Program details and funding

The Lake County Cannabis Local Equity program provides services to individuals, not businesses, who have experienced negative effects due to the criminalization of cannabis.

Applicants must meet eligibility criteria as outlined in the county of Lake Local Equity Program Manual. Funds are intended to assist those deemed “equity eligible” to enter into, or remain in, the commercial cannabis marketplace.

The county of Lake is administering the Cannabis Local Equity Program through grants received from California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

Lake County’s total allocation from the GO-Biz for this round of equity grants is $2,829,294.90. Grant funds will be used to supply services to those meeting eligibility criteria, as defined in the updated Lake County Local Equity Program Manual.

Eligible equity applicants may initially qualify for up to $25,000, unless otherwise indicated, or until funding is fully exhausted. Additional funding may become available.

Submission deadline for all applications is 5 p.m. PST on Friday, May 27, 2022.

Applications and further information are available at http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Cannabis.htm.

Specific questions about applications can be submitted via email, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or phone, 707-263-2580.