DIRECT GRANTS PROGRAM
The City of Long Beach’s Cannabis Equity Direct Grants Program utilizes funding from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO Biz) to provide direct grants and fee waivers to Long Beach’s cannabis equity entrepreneurs.
Grant Program Overview
To receive grant funds, Equity Applicants must complete a grant application and undergo a business verification process. Grant amounts are disbursed at four milestones during the business license process that will assist Equity Applicants in starting a sustainable cannabis business. If an Equity Applicant meets the requirements of all milestones, they will be eligible to receive a grant depending upon the type of cannabis business and size (square footage) of the cannabis facility.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for a grant, you must:
- Qualify as an Equity Applicant – To qualify as an Equity Applicant, you must have received a Cannabis Social Equity Program Verification Letter issued by the Office of Cannabis Oversight (OCO) or Economic Development Department. For more information on how to qualify, please click here.
- Submit the Demographic Questionnaire – After qualifying as an equity applicant, you must complete the Cannabis Equity Program Demographic Questionnaire. The link to the questionnaire is provided in the verification letter. Please contact us if you have any questions.
- Submit all Required Documents - Each milestone requires supporting documentation. To see which documents are required for your milestone, please review the Direct Grants Policies and Procedures.
Direct Grant Milestones
Direct grants will be awarded for each milestone of the business license process completed by an equity applicant. Recognizing that every cannabis business is different, the amount of grant funding will be dependent upon the type of cannabis activity being conducted and the size of the cannabis facility.
For microbusinesses, grant funds will be issued for each separate cannabis activity occurring at the business location.
| Direct Grant Milestone | Grant Amount Available |
| Milestone #1: Securing Your Business Location | Contingent on business plan, LOI/lease terms, location and zoning requirements |
| Milestone #2: Drawing Up Plans | Dependent upon business operation and size* |
| Milestone #3: Starting Construction | Dependent upon business operation and size* |
| Milestone #4: Opening Your Business | Dependent upon business operation and size* |
| Total Possible Grant Funding | Dependent upon business operation and size* |
*Review the Direct Grants Funding Amounts Matrix for exact amounts for your business.
PLEASE NOTE: The City of Long Beach reserves the right to adjust or change direct grant milestones and grant amounts at any time to ensure that grant funds are continuously available in the areas of most need. Any changes to the grant milestones will be posted on this webpage.
Fee Waivers
Fee waivers are disbursed during the business license process to offset some of the costs of licensing and permitting.
To receive fee waivers, Equity Applicants must complete a grant application and provide invoices/receipts for fees that need to be paid using grant funds. An Equity Grant Assessment is not required for fee waiver Milestones #1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, or 2B.
| Milestone | Fee Description | Fee Waiver Amount |
| Milestone #1A | Building and Zoning Review Fees | $56.30* |
| Milestone #1B | Administrative Use Permit Fees | $4,719.60* |
| Milestone #1C | Conditional Use Permit Fees | $9,072.00* |
| Milestone #2A | Cannabis Facility Consultation Fee | $766.80 |
| Milestone #2B | Plan Check Fees | Dependent upon business operation and size* |
| Milestone #2C |
Permitting Fees | Dependent upon business operation and size* |
| Milestone #2D |
Categorical Exception Fees | Dependent upon business operation and size* |
*Fees are charged for each business activity/license at the facility
Grant Application Process
A completed grant application will be reviewed by staff from the Cannabis Equity Program Team in the Economic Development Department and scored according to the Equity Grant Assessment. Given the limited amount of grant funds, grants will be issued on a first come first served basis and grant applications must also receive a minimum score of 60 out of 100 points on the Equity Grant Assessment. If a grant application does not score 60 points or higher, feedback will be provided, and the Applicant can resubmit their grant application to improve their score.
A completed grant application will be required for all grant milestones; however, an Equity Grant Assessment is not required for fee waiver Milestones #1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, or 2B.
The documents that will be reviewed as part of the Equity Grant Assessment include the following:
- Equity Applicant resume or answers to experience questions
- Partner(s) resume or answers to experience questions
- Updated Business Plan
- Business Entity Documents
- Written explanation of how funding will be used
Apply For A Direct Grant
Equity Applicants that have completed one or more direct grant milestones may submit a Cannabis Social Equity Direct Grants Application by mail or email to the Office of Cannabis Oversight.
Economic Development Department
Cannabis Equity Program
411 W. Ocean Blvd., 10th Floor
Long Beach, CA 90802
Email: cannabizLB@longbeach.gov
Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Forms and Applications: |
