CANNABIS EQUITY EMPLOYMENT
The goal of the Cannabis Equity Employment Program is to create employment opportunities more accessible to individuals impacted by the prior criminalization of cannabis in the City.
The longer-term goal of the Program is to recognize and address the long-term negative social impact associated with the disproportionate enforcement of cannabis policies on Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and low-income communities in the City. Long-term impacts from the criminalization of cannabis include social stigma of criminal conviction and incarceration, family and community disintegration (especially if the incarcerated individual was the primary or sole income earner in the household), permanent loss of property, disqualification from employment opportunities, reduced earnings potential, exclusion from public benefits, and inability to vote in public elections.
Through this Cannabis Equity Employment Program, qualified job seekers will get priority job opportunities with Cannabis Businesses. Adult-Use Cannabis Businesses in Long Beach are required to employ Equity Employees for a minimum of forty percent (40%) of total annual work hours performed at the business. Qualifying Cannabis Businesses are encouraged to collaborate in this program to sustain their Equity Employee goals.
STEP 1: CHECK TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY AS AN EQUITY APPLICANT |
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To qualify as an Equity Employee, you must meet the following eligibility criteria: Be a natural person; and In the last year, have had an annual family income at or below eighty percent (80%) of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale (LA County) Area Median Income (AMI), and a net worth below $250,000; and Note: The annual family income is adjusted for family size. See information on income limits. AND satisfy at least one (1) of the following three (3) criteria: Have lived in a Long Beach census tract for a minimum of five (3) years, either consecutively or in total, where at least fifty-one (51%) of current residents have a household income at or below eighty percent (80%) of the Los Angeles Area Median Income; and Check our interactive map. Meet at least one of the following cannabis criminalization criteria: During the period of 1971-2016, was arrested for, convicted of, or adjudged to be a ward of the juvenile court for any crime under the laws of California or any other jurisdiction relating to the sale, possession, use, manufacture, or cultivation of cannabis; or Has a parent, sibling, or child who, during the period of 1971-2016, was arrested for, convicted of, or adjudged to be a ward of the juvenile court for any crime under the laws of California or any other jurisdiction relating to the sale, possession, use, manufacture, or cultivation of cannabis. Meet the unemployment requirement: Must provide proof of unemployment benefits, court documents, probation documents, and/or Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons records. |
STEP 2: GET VERIFIED AS AN EQUITY EMPLOYEE |
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Submit a Cannabis Equity Employee Program Verification Form along with the required supporting documentation by mail or email to: Economic Development Department Individuals who qualify as Equity Employees will receive a letter verifying their status as an Equity Employee in the program. |
STEP 3: MEET POTENTIAL HIRING BUSINESSES |
| Once verified as an equity applicant interested job seekers will submit a resume which will be shared with cannabis business owners. |
CANNABIS EQUITY BUSINESS EMPLOYERS
Adult-Use Cannabis Businesses in Long Beach are required to employ Equity Employees for a minimum of forty percent (40%) of total annual work hours performed at the business.
Equity Employee eligibility will be verified by the Workforce Development Bureau. Adult-Use Cannabis Businesses will be able to check if any of their current staff qualifies as Equity Employees.
Businesses will be subject to periodic monitoring and compliance.
Businesses will submit payroll records to determine the percentage of Social Equity Hire compliance.
Businesses that fail to meet the 40% Equity Hire requirement may be exempt from enforcement and penalties for noncompliance if they can demonstrate "best efforts" to hire and employ Equity Employees.
For more information, Email: Cannabisjobs@longbeach.gov
Businesses can now share current job opportunities through our new City of Long Beach Cannabis Job Board!
