The City of San José Cannabis Equity Business Program kicked off their first Cannabis Equity Business Academy this Spring and applications are still open to eligible residents who are interested in opening a cannabis business in the City of San José.

Above: The City hosted a kickoff to the Academy on May 15, 2023 to welcome the initial class of participants in the program.

What is the Purpose?

The Program aims to right the wrongs of the past by empowering community members who were harmed by cannabis criminalization through the creation of the Cannabis Equity Business Academy (CEBA). CEBA seeks to equalize the playing field in this complex and heavily regulated business sector by providing comprehensive training and access to both employment and business ownership within the sector to those disproportionately affected by the regulations and discriminatory enforcement of historical cannabis laws. The “War on Drugs” as it pertains to cannabis had a lasting and devastating effect on many individuals, their families, and their communities. Incarceration and criminal records lead to long lasting social and employment stigma, and loss of income for not only those charged but to their families as well. For more information on the history of the impacts of cannabis laws and the thinking behind the Program please see the San José Cannabis Equity Assessment.

What Does The CEBA Offer?

The no-cost and inclusive program can be adjusted to fit your schedule and is both language accessible and available with closed captioning. According to Wesley Brown Program Manager of the Cal Asian Chamber of Commerce, who are organizing these trainings on behalf of the City, the program will be recorded and available online. He added, “We know a lot of people have full time jobs, so we try to make it a working lunch where someone can jump on at noon, and hop off by 1pm.”. The classes will offer participants both general business education and advanced training in specific subjects related to the cannabis business sector. Instructors will lead the cohort through topics such as Cannabis 101, City of San José Licensing, Insurance, Business Plan Development, Financial Planning and Accounting, Access to Capital, and Applying for Loans and Grants. As the group advances they will be lead through advanced topics such as Security, Payroll & HR, Cannabis Taxes, Inventory Management, Contracting and Business Structure and Growth Strategies. Those who meet the eligibility requirements and finish the CEBA are eligible to become Cannabis Equity Business Owners. The main draw according to Brown is that the program is reserving up to 10 retail cannabis registrations for the program. “I think over everything that’s the main sticking point.”, Brown mentioned, when discussing the challenges many face when getting a retail cannabis registration. The hope is that these incentives combined can provide a start-to-launch pipeline and begin to rectify the negative effects of past legislation. Currently, there are 24 participants in the Academy, with the City of San José able accept up to 90 individuals so there is still space and time to sign up . Qualified individuals who complete the Academy will be eligible for the 10 retail cannabis registrations the City has set aside for Cannabis Equity Business Owners.

How Can I Apply?

Applications may be found at here. If you have questions about the program please reach out to CannabisEquity@sanjoseca.gov or call 408-794-1151.