Introduction

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. 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 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. 

Community Engagement

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 first community meeting was held on October 19 in the Morris B Vance Community Room. A copy of the presentation is available here.

The community survey and stakeholder interviews were completed; results were compiled by SCI Consulting Group and considered in the development of the assessment.

The second community meeting was held virtually on December 6.  A copy of the presentation is available here (para español haga clic aquí). The video of the meeting can be viewed here (para español haga clic aquí). 

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.

SCI Consulting, with staff input, drafted a social equity program based on the direction provided by the City Council.  The draft program manual was posted on the City's website and input was solicited through a survey.  In addition, the City and SCI Consulting hosted a virtual community meeting on June 8, 2024 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.

Vista Cannabis Equity Assessment Report 

 Vista Cannabis Equity Program Manual

City of Vista - Cannabis Equity Program Manual

What's Next?

The City Council has directed staff to explore additional cannabis uses and to seek funding for the cannabis equity program from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and other sources.  Staff will also begin the development of program forms and partnerships to support the program.

Staff contact:  Kathy Valdez, City Clerk, kvaldez@cityofvista.com. 

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