The Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) is pleased to announce the launch of the SEED Grant Program! Beginning on April 20, 2021, all verified Social Equity Individual Applicants will be able to apply for direct financial assistance through SEED Grant 1.0 and SEED Grant 2.0. The SEED Grant Program will be administered in partnership with Elevate Impact LA.
The SEED Grant Program will distribute $6 million in funds made available through the California Cannabis Equity Grant for Local Jurisdictions Program.
SEED Grant Program 1.0 (SEED 1.0) utilizes $5 million in funding from the Cannabis Equity Grant Program to provide grants of $25,000 to Phase 3 Retail Round 1 Social Equity Individual Applicants deemed eligible for further processing.
SEED Grant Program 2.0 (SEED 2.0) utilizes $1 in million funding from the Cannabis Equity Grant Program to provide grants of up to $10,000 to verified Social Equity Individual Applicants.
Through SEED 2.0, verified Social Equity Individual Applicants may receive these grants in two disbursements upon meeting the following licensing milestones: $5,000 when DCR deems the Pre-Application eligible for further processing; and $5,000 when the Applicant is eligible for a Notice of Local Compliance Underway.
To learn more about SEED Grant 1.0 and SEED Grant 2.0, visit the SEED Grant Program web page and apply at ElevateImpactLA.com.
On May 4, 2021, DCR will host a Social Equity Program Webinar which will include detailed information from Elevate Impact LA about the SEED Grant Program and how to apply. Click here to RSVP for the May 4, 2021 Social Equity Program Webinar.
Please note that during the April 15, 2021, Cannabis Regulation Commission meeting, during the Elevate Impact LA presentation, the deadline to apply for the SEED Grant Program was incorrectly stated; the deadline to submit applications is August 18, 2021.
Also please be reminded that Pro Bono Legal Services provided in partnership with the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Cannabis Section are available to Social Equity Applicants who applied in Phase 3 Retail Round 1 and were determined eligible for further processing. If you are interested and eligible for this program, please apply now via the online survey.
This 4/20, DCR encourages members of the public to visit cannabis.lacity.org to find legal cannabis retailers, and we further encourage folks to celebrate 4/20 responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Bureau of Cannabis Control “Get #weedwise” campaign, which aims to educate consumers about the risks associated with purchasing and using unlicensed cannabis, and increase awareness of the benefits of licensure.