CORE Benefits
Steps
What are the benefits of becoming a CORE participant?
Joining the Core Program can provide a number of benefits for individuals and communities that have been disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization. These benefits include:
Access to Resources and Support
Provides a range of resources and support to help individuals and communities access and succeed in the legal cannabis industry in Sacramento, such as small business management education, pre-application meetings, technical assistance, training, and financing.
Funding Opportunities
Access to state grant funds for grant programs and no interest revolving loan program.
Waived Fees
No Business Operating Permit (BOP) fees and no expedited building plan review fees.
Priority Processing
Supports the participation of individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization in the legal cannabis industry through priority processing of permits, which increases the chances of success and growth by obtaining a business operating permit faster and becoming operational sooner.
Invest in Communities
Invests in and supports the development of communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization, helping to create jobs, businesses, and social programs, which can benefit the community as whole.
Support for Social and Economic Equity
By promoting social and economic equity in the cannabis industry and supporting the economic and social development of communities that were most affected by cannabis criminalization, the CORE Program can improve the livelihoods of individuals and families, and foster greater social and economic justice.
Business opportunities
Joining the CORE program can provide the opportunity to start businesses, or access business grants, which can help to jumpstart a new business venture and allow participants to be part of the legal cannabis industry.
Finding a Suitable Site
Through Map Viewer, participants can research locations that may permit cannabis business operations within the city. Once participants identify the potential site, they can schedule a free CORE Participant Pre-Application Meeting with the Planning Division and other departments involved in the regulatory review steps to determine if the selected site is suitable for cannabis business activities.
Hear from Our Participants
"CORE helped me along the way. It helped me with licensing, helped me find a building in the Green Zone, and kept me up to date with the changing laws that are going on in Sacramento. I want to see everyone do better and I want the industry to be shown in a positive light because there are a lot of good people in this community"
- Jerard Johnson, Trees of Knowledge
"We are the first Black and women-owned cannabis retailer here in Sacramento. I am from Sacramento. I am 100% owner of this business. That's true social equity... For me the equity program changed my life. Obviously, it got me a storefront dispensary but in addition, I got a lot of help."
-Maisha Bahati, Crystal Nugs
"Being in the industry for a very long time, you know, I've seen a lot. Some people aren't willing to share that space, so the access to the grants and loans have been really helpful for us as small businesses to be able to compete in the market.'
- Mindy Galloway, Khemia