MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Cannabis Program is in the process of assessing how communities have been impacted by cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs and exploring how to more equitably develop this new industry.
Tier 1 funding from the California Office of Business and Economic Development is allowing MCCP to better understand its local cannabis market and build a Tier 2 application for funding to develop an Equity Program for applicants and permittees, especially those who have been disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization.
The Cannabis Equity Assessment is two-fold; first to determine how Monterey County residents have historically been impacted by cannabis criminalization and second, to gather information from the cannabis business community about their experiences participating in the expanding legal market and what can be done to assist those who face barriers to cannabis licensing and permitting.
A general community survey is also available for individuals to share their ideas about Monterey County’s cannabis industry. The community survey is available at surveymonkey.com/r/CLQZZXF.
The business survey is being distributed via email to those who are currently involved or interested in working in the industry.
Both surveys will be available until March 31.
The surveys have been developed in conjunction with researchers from the Institute for Community Collaborative Studies at California State University, Monterey Bay.
Findings will be incorporated into a report to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors and as a beginning point for the development of an Equity Program in Monterey County.
Additional grant funding will be sought for program development and assistance for Equity Program applicants and permittees.
