Business

Board Of Supervisors Unanimously Approves Cannabis Equity Legislation Introduced by Mayor London Breed

Legislation aims to bolster the City’s Cannabis Equity Program and further support cannabis business owners

Published

5 years ago

October 6, 2021

Business cannabis marijuana stock exchange market graph business / cannabis leaves on trading and investment of financial money price stock chart exchange growth and crisis money concept

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed legislation introduced by Mayor London N. Breed to enhance the impact of the City’s Cannabis Equity Program and support all cannabis businesses in San Francisco. The legislation builds on the Program’s original goal to combat disparities in the cannabis industry by establishing a social equity program in San Francisco. The Cannabis Equity Program, which launched in 2018, was created to lower the barriers to cannabis licensing and provide workforce opportunities to those who were hit hardest by the War on Drugs.

The legislation modifies the permit process and creates new processing priorities in the Office of Cannabis to increase opportunities for prospective equity businesses. The legislation also provides greater ownership flexibility for cannabis businesses and preserves equity commitments in the program.

“As San Francisco works to recover from COVID-19, it’s important that we support small businesses, including our cannabis industry,” said Breed. “This legislation helps us make sure the program continues to achieve its goals and ensure that cannabis business owners are supported and have the resources they need to be successful in San Francisco.”

Since the establishment of the Cannabis Equity Program, 94 Equity Applicants have applied for permits to operate cannabis businesses in San Francisco. To date, San Francisco has issued 36 permits to equity cannabis businesses, including permanent and temporary permits. In addition to issuing permits for businesses, San Francisco’s Office of Cannabis administers grants for Equity Applicants, who are individuals that meet criteria based on residency, income, criminal justice involvement, and housing insecurity.

These grants, funded by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and the Department of Cannabis Control, can be used for start-up and ongoing costs. San Francisco has received approximately $6.3 million in grants from GO-Biz and BCC. To date, the City has approved funding requests for 45 grantees, ranging from around $50,000 to $100,000 each, and nearly $3 million has been disbursed. The remaining grant funds are in the process of being redistributed to equity businesses.

The legislation creates measures to ensure the cannabis industry in San Francisco continues to support communities that have historically been harmed by the War on Drugs.

Specifically, the legislation:

Prioritizes Cannabis Equity Applicants who are sole proprietors for permit processing
- Equity Applicants will continue to receive top priority
- Non-equity owners who support Equity Applicants through shared manufacturing will also receive heightened priority
Shortens the time period for a transfer of more than a 50% ownership interest in a Cannabis Business from 10 years to five years, giving businesses more flexibility to grow
Requires that cannabis businesses make additional social equity contributions if they seek to reduce the equity applicant’s ownership interest by 20% or more
- These commitments include opportunities to provide hiring, training, and mentorship and provide other forms of support to cannabis equity businesses or local organizations

“Being the First Latina-owned cannabis dispensary owner/CEO of Stiiizy Union Square feels surreal,” said Equity Permit holder Cindy De La Vega. “My grand opening was Oct. 9, 2020, during a very difficult time for all of us, and especially for areas like Union Square. I am grateful for the San Francisco Equity Program and proud to be permit No. 11. I look forward to using my opportunity to show others that the San Francisco Equity Program does work and should be the blueprint for others to bring to their cities.”

“I’m grateful to the City and the State for this opportunity,” said Ali Jamalian, founder and CEO of Kiffen LLC and Equity Permit holder. “Thank you to the Office of Cannabis for standing up this Pilot Program. The money is incredibly helpful and allows me to scale my business during a difficult time. I’m hopeful that all eligible equity applicants will take advantage of the opportunity.”

The cannabis industry in San Francisco is important for the City’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Cannabis businesses have created jobs and provided local San Francisco residents with meaningful access to income, as many in the City have worried about employment. Over the past year-and-a-half, 17 new equity cannabis businesses have opened, each creating local job opportunities and generating sales tax revenue to fund other social services and programs. During this same time, approximately 75 cannabis businesses also operated with temporary permits, and an additional 38 businesses operated as medical cannabis dispensaries. San Francisco’s cannabis businesses employ approximately 70 local residents through the City’s First Source Hiring Program.

“Thank you to Mayor Breed for strengthening social equity and creating more economic opportunities to those hurt by the War on Drugs,” said Marisa Rodriguez, director of the Office of Cannabis. “Mayor Breed’s legislation ensures that there will continue to be a legacy of equity in the City for years to come.”

Isabelle Price

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Activism

The Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Hold Day of Advocacy at the Capitol in Sacramento

A member of the “Divine Nine,” Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was founded on Jan. 13, 1913, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The organization was established by 22 women who sought to shift the group’s focus from social activities to public service, academic excellence, and social activism.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Sen. Laura Richardson (D-San Pedro) presents a Senate resolution to the Delta Theta Sigma Sorority Farwest Region at the State Capitol on May 4. Photo courtesy of the Senate Rules Committee.

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

On May 4, members of the Farwest Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., convened at the California State Capitol for the organization’s 23rd annual Delta Days in Sacramento.

The two-day advocacy event brings together chapters from across California to engage directly in the legislative process, connect with lawmakers, and advocate for policies impacting Black communities.

Members of the sorority were honored on the Senate floor by Sen. Laura Richardson (D-San Pedro), who is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta.

Richardson welcomed the Farwest Region during the presentation of a Senate resolution recognizing outgoing Regional Director Kimberly Usher for her leadership and service.

“In addition to the Far West Region, we are led by a fearless leader, regional director Kimberly Usher. She has now served her full term of what’s allowed,” Richardson said. “We are going to be having our regional conference, but we wanted to give it to her here, officially recognizing her service.”

The resolution was co-authored by Richardson and fellow members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and Delta Sigma Theta, Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego) and Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

Usher has served in the leadership role since 2022.

“We are founded on sisterhood that is deeply rooted in scholarship, service, and social action,” said Weber Pierson, a member of the Gamma Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

“Today, we continue a legacy of empowering communities and upholding the high cultural, intellectual, and moral standards established by our founders over a century ago,” she added.

Oakland Post

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Bay Area

How Is AI Affecting California? The State Wants You to Share Your Story

The program marks the first time the state has opened the platform to all Californians. State officials said the effort is designed to give residents a direct role in discussions about how AI should be regulated and used as the technology rapidly expands across industries.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

iStock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced May 7 that California is expanding its Engaged California digital democracy initiative statewide, inviting residents to help shape future state policies on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on jobs and the economy.

“We’ve got to be clear-eyed about this moment: AI is moving fast, bringing enormous opportunity, but also real risks,” Newsom said in a statement. “Californians deserve a seat at the table as we shape what’s to come.”

The initiative will roll out in two phases. Beginning immediately, Californians can sign up online to share how AI is affecting their work and communities and provide ideas for possible government action. Later this summer, a smaller group reflecting the state’s workforce demographics will participate in live discussions focused on developing policy recommendations.

State officials said the goal is to identify areas of agreement among Californians and provide policymakers with public feedback as the state develops future AI regulations and workforce strategies.

Engaged California is modeled after digital democracy programs used in Taiwan and is intended to encourage structured public discussion rather than social media-style debate. Officials described the effort as a form of “deliberative democracy” aimed at helping residents engage directly in state decision-making.

“The more Californians are engaged in the democratic process, the better able we’ll be to confront the challenges we face together,” said Nick Maduros, California Secretary of Government Operations, in a statement.

The statewide launch builds on two earlier pilot programs. One pilot gathered public input following the Los Angeles firestorms to help guide recovery efforts, while another collected ideas from state employees about improving government operations.

California has positioned itself as a national leader in AI policy and development. Since 2023, the Newsom administration has introduced initiatives focused on responsible AI use in government, cybersecurity protections, workforce training and regulations targeting risks such as deepfakes and AI-generated robocalls.

The state has also partnered with companies in Silicon Valley — including NVIDIA, Google, Adobe, IBM and Microsoft — to expand AI education and workforce training programs across California schools and universities.

Oakland Post

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Advice

Book Review: Books for College-Bound Students

The kind of workday your Grandpa had is probably over, and you can’t count on toiling at the same place for 40 years for a pension and a gold watch. You already know that, and these books will help you decide your next step. You’ll learn what kind of worker you are, what’s stopping you from finding a job or occupation you’ll love, how to determine the purpose you envision for your future, and how to get where you need to be.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Book covers. Photo courtesy of Terri Schlichenmeyer.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Authors: Various, Copyright: c.2026, Publishers: Various, SRP: $21.00 – $29.00, Page Counts: Various

The videos and news reports were inspiring.

In them, a hesitant prospective college student became a happy, new college-bound student with the click of a key. They were accepted into the college of their dreams – so how can you get the same feeling next spring, when you’re the one with the highest of hopes?

You can start by reading these great books and sharing them with your family…

You probably already know that getting into the college of your choice is not something you do last-minute. In “The People’s Guide to College Applications: A Week-by-Week Approach to Writing, Connecting, and Getting in” (Prometheus Books, $ 21.95), Jill Constantino takes you through each step, but not in a frantic way. There’s no pressure here, just easy-to-grasp, makes-sense methods to apply for the college you want. There are reminders here, things you can’t forget and things you can, hints on asking for referrals and writing essays, and plenty of reminders to take a deep breath. Bonus: it’s also a book for parents, who may feel just as much pressure as their child does.

Okay, but let’s say that you’re an adult, a parent who’s sweating those college applications, classes, and the FAFSA for yourself, ugh! Then you’ll want to read “Student Parent: The Fight for Families, the Cost of Poverty, and the Power of College” by Nicole Lynn Lewis (Beacon Press, $26.97). an urgent call meant for nontraditional students who are also Black, Latinx, gay, Moms, or Dads.

Inside this book, you’ll find stats and stories that may already sound familiar, tales of not enough money, not enough support, not enough arms or sleep or resources. If you’re looking for a book of advice, this isn’t it, though. It’s more of a resource that you’ll want to take to your guidance counselor or any local politician.

Alright, but what if you’ve decided that college can wait? Is that okay? Look for “The Mission Generation: Reclaim Your Purpose, Rewrite Success, Rebuild Our Future” by Arun Gupta and Thomas J. Fewer (Wiley, $29.00) because – guess what? – you have many options for your future.

The kind of workday your Grandpa had is probably over, and you can’t count on toiling at the same place for 40 years for a pension and a gold watch. You already know that, and this book will help you decide your next step. You’ll learn what kind of worker you are, what’s stopping you from finding a job or occupation you’ll love, how to determine the purpose you envision for your future, and how to get where you need to be. This book isn’t just for high schoolers, but for anyone ages 16 and beyond who’s feeling restless, ready for change, or who’s thinking about some kind of purposeful retirement.

And if these aren’t the college-based or not-college-bound books you need, then be sure to ask your favorite bookseller or librarian for help on ideas, how-to’s, test prep books, or study guides. They’ll have books for you, and maybe a little inspiration, too.