TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents including subsequent amendments, with the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), to receive and expend grant funding in the amount of $3,934,773, to support the Long Beach Cannabis Program, for the approximate period of January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025; and
Increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $3,934,773, offset by grant revenue from DCC. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council adoption of the Resolution is requested to enter into an agreement with the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) to receive and expend a grant award in the amount of $3,934,773, to support the Long Beach Cannabis Program.
The Office of Cannabis Oversight (OCO) in the City Manager Department was recently awarded $3,934,773 by DCC to support the Long Beach Cannabis Program. The Cannabis Program was approved on November 8, 2016 with the passage of Measure MM, which established Chapter 5.90 of the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) and created a regulatory program for medical cannabis businesses to operate in the City of Long Beach (City). Subsequently, in August 2018, the City Council approved LBMC Chapter 5.92, which created a regulatory framework for adult-use cannabis businesses to operate in the City and established the Cannabis Social Equity Program (Equity Program) which provides business ownership and employment opportunities to low income individuals and communities negatively impacted by the prior criminalization of cannabis.
On December 26, 2021, DCC announced the recipients of $100 million in grant funding to support local jurisdictions that adopted a local cannabis program. Pursuant to the Budget Act of 2021, Item 1115-101-0001, funding is dedicated to local jurisdictions with the greatest needs to transition businesses with State provisional licensees to State annual lice...
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