For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(a) “Eligible local jurisdiction” means a local jurisdiction that demonstrates an intent to develop a local program or that has adopted or operates a local equity program.

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(b) “Equity assessment” means an assessment conducted by the local jurisdiction that was used to inform the creation of a local equity program, and that assessment may include the following:

(1) Reference to local historical rates of arrests or convictions for cannabis law violations.

(2) Identification of the impacts that cannabis-related policies have had historically on communities and populations within that local jurisdiction.

(3) Other information that demonstrates how individuals and communities within the local jurisdiction have been disproportionately or negatively impacted by the War on Drugs.

(c) “Local equity applicant” means an applicant who has submitted, or will submit, an application to a local jurisdiction to engage in commercial cannabis activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of that jurisdiction and who meets the requirements of that jurisdiction’s local equity program.

(d) “Local equity licensee” means a person who has obtained a license from a local jurisdiction to engage in commercial cannabis activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of that jurisdiction and who meets the requirements of that jurisdiction’s local equity program.

(e) “Local equity program” means a program adopted or operated by a local jurisdiction that focuses on inclusion and support of individuals and communities in California’s cannabis industry who are linked to populations or neighborhoods that were negatively or disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization as evidenced by the local jurisdiction’s equity assessment. Local equity programs may include, but are not limited to, the following types of services:

(1) Small business support services offering technical assistance or professional and mentorship services to those persons from economically disadvantaged communities that experience high rates of poverty or communities most harmed by cannabis prohibition, determined by historically high rates of arrests or convictions for cannabis law violations.

(2) Tiered fees or fee waivers for cannabis-related permits and licenses.

(3) Assistance in paying state regulatory and licensing fees.

(4) Assistance securing business locations prior to or during the application process.

(5) Assistance securing capital investments or direct access to capital.

(6) Assistance with regulatory compliance.

(7) Assistance in recruitment, training, and retention of a qualified and diverse workforce, including transitional workers.

(8) Other services deemed by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to be consistent with the intent of this chapter.

(f) “Transitional worker” means a person who, at the time of starting employment at the business premises, resides in a ZIP Code or census track area with higher than average unemployment, crime, or child death rates, and faces at least one of the following barriers to employment: (1) is homeless; (2) is a custodial single parent; (3) is receiving public assistance; (4) lacks a GED or high school diploma; (5) has a criminal record or other involvement with the criminal justice system; (6) suffers from chronic unemployment; (7) is emancipated from the foster care system; (8) is a veteran; or (9) is over 65 years of age and is financially compromised.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 70, Sec. 91. (AB 141) Effective July 12, 2021.)