For over 50 years, federal and state governments have pursued and enforced failed War on Drugs that has disproportionately impacted communities of color. How we address the challenges created by these policies matter. In California, at both local and state level, regulation of medicinal and adult-use cannabis has often considered how past, current, and future policies impact historically underserved and marginalized communities. This has resulted in support of individuals, business owners, and communities negatively impacted by the War on Drugs. These efforts serve as a reflection of California’s values, and more can be done to focus and improve this work.
In recognition of the challenges and opportunities in creating a more equitable framework for cannabis regulation, DCC has developed an Equity Action Plan. This plan focuses on efforts to incorporate equity within DCC and DCC’s efforts to support an equitable, well-regulated cannabis industry throughout California.
Mission and Vision
At DCC, we value an equitable marketplace, and that starts with supporting entrepreneurs seeking to enter the cannabis industry and run a cannabis business in California, having been marginalized by decades of prohibition. DCC is working to build, refine, and invest in the DCC’s organization and culture—one that includes hiring and retaining staff that reflect the diversity of California, building and maintaining an organization that respects difference, and sharing information with stakeholders in more equitable ways.
Mission
Through innovative policies and effective implementation, DCC advances and facilitates a well-regulated, legal market that benefits all Californians.
Vision
California has a safe, sustainable, and equitable cannabis market that serves as an example for the world.
DCC’s Equity Action Plan has been designed to align with DCC’s Strategic Plan and organizational goals. The Equity Action Plan focuses on five key organizational priorities:
- Developing a diverse workforce;
- Adopting equitable regulations;
- Developing materials to support compliance within the regulated market;
- Supporting licensees with resources to enter and remain in the cannabis market; and
- Utilizing new and existing forums to gain feedback from stakeholders.
DCC remains committed to developing a safe, sustainable, and equitable cannabis market, and the Equity Action Plan is an important part of that work. This plan is a “living document,” requiring flexibility and adaptability as new opportunities emerge and priorities and circumstances change. We look forward to sharing our progress in achieving these goals with stakeholders in the future.
Strategic Priorities
Organizational priority 1: Diverse workforce
Develop strategies to assist with recruitment across the divisions to gain a more diverse workforce.
Equity opportunity
Continue to implement California guidelines for embedding equity into DCC hiring policies and practices to promote a more inclusive and diverse state workforce.
Data-driven goals
Achieve a more equitable workforce among occupational groups and classifications throughout DCC, that is reflective of California’s demographics.
Engagement practices
Engage with CalHR to obtain guidance on equitable hiring practices. Increase interdivisional partnership on recruitment efforts (e.g., job fairs, distribution of job postings, etc.).
Policy and program initiatives
Attend recruitment fairs; advertise on recruitment websites including, but not limited to, jobs.ca.gov; update the Work for DCC webpage to appeal to a more diverse pool of potential candidates; and develop a Workforce Development Plan.
Organizational priority 2: Regulation development
Ensure an equity specific focus when developing regulations that engages impacted equity licensees early in the regulatory process.
Equity opportunity
Equity business owners often cite complex regulations as a barrier to entry and an impediment to success in the cannabis industry. Where appropriate, regulatory refinement will be proposed that both expands opportunity and supports equity businesses across the state.
Regulatory development that prioritizes equity businesses may also benefit non-equity businesses by reducing complexity and improving economic conditions in the cannabis industry.
Data-driven goals
Increase participation in DCC’s equity fee relief program, supporting licensees in applying for relief and creating awareness of other equity programs.
Engagement practices
Conduct interviews with equity business owners negatively impacted by the criminalization of cannabis; visit equity licensees in the field; solicit feedback from equity stakeholders; and attend equity-related events.
Policy and program initiatives
Continue implementation of DCC’s equity fee relief program; provide support to licensees applying for equity fee relief via email; develop and post equity fee relief FAQs; develop and implement a mechanism to provide feedback on regulatory changes from stakeholders.
Organizational priority 3: Compliance
Develop easy to understand materials to support businesses owners in maintaining their cannabis licenses and create content that captures effective practices across California equity programs.
Equity opportunity
Equity business owners often have additional needs in achieving and maintaining licensure and often lack the resources to hire compliance-related support. Content can be developed to support business owners and local jurisdictions.
Data-driven goals
Increase the number of promising practices included on DCC’s equity resources webpage; increase number of equity business owners interviewed; track the number of promising practices adopted by local jurisdictions; and increase the visibility of materials targeted towards equity licensees.
Engagement practices
Conduct interviews with the leaders of local jurisdictions implementing equity & compliance programs; contact technical assistance providers supporting business owners in local communities; and collect feedback from equity business owners negatively impacted by the criminalization of cannabis.
Policy and program initiatives
Develop and publish promising practices for equity businesses and local jurisdictions; promote equity-related content on DCC’s social media accounts; conduct interviews with local jurisdictions to gather information on potential promising practices; and provide targeted support to local jurisdictions developing and implementing equity programs.
Organizational priority 4: Licensee support
Identify data needs for licensees and provide enhanced technical assistance to equity business owners and applicants seeking and receiving cannabis licenses from DCC.
Equity opportunity
Equity business owners often have limited access to financial support and technical assistance. Materials can be made available to equity licensees to make licensure easier and renewal more accessible.
Data-driven goals
Increase the number of data-based reports released to the public; increase number of equity business applicants and owners assisted by the technical assistance unit; and increase the number of technical assistance materials available to equity licensees.
Engagement practices
Assist licensees with navigating the equity fee relief process: increase support for licensees applying to other state programs; and conduct outreach to local jurisdictions to determine type of licensing support equity applicants need.
Policy and program initiatives
Add equity-specific data points to DCC’s licensing system; publish data-based reports that explain the state of equity businesses in the broader cannabis industry; and host equity office hours to discuss publicized materials with the public.
Organizational priority 5: Stakeholder engagement
Utilize the Cannabis Advisory Committee (CAC) as a forum to advise DCC on development of standards and regulations, including development of an equitable cannabis industry.
Equity opportunity
Equity business owners often have limited access to support, including both financial and technical assistance. Needs also vary depending on geographic location and license type.
Data-driven goals
Maintain diversity of backgrounds, regional locations, life experiences, and viewpoints in the composition of CAC members. Ensure meetings and materials are accessible to the public.
Engagement practices
Ensure CAC members represent a diversity of backgrounds, regional locations, life experiences and viewpoints on cannabis-related issues.
Policy and program initiatives
Conduct yearly equity presentations to the CAC that inform committee members and the public about state-wide equity efforts; engage equity business owners directly to ensure comprehensive participation on and with the CAC; and prioritize individuals with equity-related experience when selecting membership on the CAC.
Contact us
Email questions to info@cannabis.ca.gov or call 1-844-61-CA-DCC.
Related resources
DCC Equity Action Plan
For over 50 years, federal and state governments have pursued and enforced failed War on Drugs that has disproportionately impacted communities of color. How we address the challenges created by these policies matter. In California, at both local and state level, regulation of medicinal and adult-use cannabis has often considered how past, current, and future…
Local equity promising practices
The Department of Cannabis Control is committed to providing equity to communities harmed by cannabis criminalization. We support local communities who share these values by lifting up practices that are making a difference.
How California supports equity businesses
California supports cannabis equity through efforts at both the state and local levels. Find out about state and local support options.
