The City of Vista has developed a local cannabis equity program designed to remove barriers to entry into the legal cannabis industry for individuals and communities that have been impacted by cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs.

Cannabis Equity Assessment 

In 2023, the City was awarded grant funding from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) through the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions to conduct a cannabis equity assessment. The City, in partnership with SCI Consulting Group, hosted several community meetings, conducted one-on-one stakeholder interviews, and administered surveys to gather essential information and data from the community to inform the equity assessment. The purpose of the cannabis equity assessment was to understand how cannabis criminalization has impacted communities in Vista and to develop recommendations and policies to inform the development and implementation of the City's cannabis equity program. 

The City Council reviewed and accepted the Cannabis Equity Assessment at February 27, 2024 City Council meeting and directed staff to develop a Cannabis Equity Program to be brought to the City Council for approval.

City of Vista - Cannabis Equity Assessment

Cannabis Equity Program Manual 

SCI Consulting, with staff input, drafted a social equity program based on the direction provided by the City Council.  SCI Consulting solicited input through a survey and hosted a virtual community meeting to discuss the proposed program and receive feedback from the community.

The City Council reviewed and accepted the Cannabis Equity Program Manual (with minor changes) at the June 25, 2024 City Council Meeting.

City of Vista - Cannabis Equity Program Manual

Equity Program Eligibility

To be eligible for the Equity Program as an Equity Applicant, an individual shall satisfy the following criteria:

1. During the period from 1971 to present, had, or have an immediate family member who had, a cannabis arrest or conviction; or
2. Have a household income below 80% of the Area Median Income in San Diego County, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, in either the preceding year or current year of submitting an equity verification application or is eligible to get financial aid through a program like CalFresh, MediCal, CalWORKS, Supplemental security income, or Social Security disability; and has a net worth of less than $250,000; and

In addition, an individual shall also satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

1. Be a current or former resident of the City of Vista who has lived in the City for at least five (5) years cumulative residency.
2. Own, or previously owned, a business within the City of Vista for at least five (5) years cumulative ownership.
3. Worked, or previously worked, within the City of Vista for at least five (5) years cumulative employment.
4. Have lost housing in the City of Vista through eviction, foreclosure, or subsidy cancellation any time after 1994.
5. Have attended school in the Vista Unified School District or the City of Vista for at least five years between 1971 and 2016.
6. Have been placed in the foster care system in San Diego County between 1971 and 2016.

To be eligible for the Equity Program as an Equity Business, majority ownership interest of the business must be held by equity applicant(s). If the cannabis business has one equity applicant listed as an owner, a minimum of fifty-one percent (51%) ownership in the cannabis business must be held by the equity applicant for a minimum of three years. If the cannabis business will have multiple equity applicants listed as owners of the cannabis business, the aggregate ownership held by equity business partners must total fifty-one percent (51%) or more for a minimum or three years.

Program Services

Depending on funding availability and applicant needs, the following services may include, but are not limited to:

1. Business Development
2. Technical Assistance
3. Legal Assistance
4. Workforce Development
5. Grant Administration
6. Record Expungement Services

Cannabis Equity Verification 

An application is now available to enable qualified individuals and businesses to be verified by the City for eligibility to receive equity program services.  Completion, and verification, of an application does not guarantee any particular service or a cannabis business license.  Completed applications may be submitted by mail, email, or in-person (by appointment) to the City Clerk's Office.

City of Vista - Cannabis Equity Verification Application

Record Expungement 

The County of San Diego Office of the Public Defender Fresh Start Program utilizes experienced attorneys to review criminal history and seek appropriate methods of relief, including reducing felony convictions to misdemeanors and dismissing/expunging criminal records.  The program is not currently accepting applications.  In the meantime, information on how to pursue this on your own is available on the San Diego Superior Court's website:  Clearing Your Record - Superior Court of California - County of San Diego

Notifications

Contact

Kathy Valdez, City Clerk
760.639.6125
email