Santa Monica is taking significant strides toward shaping its adult-use cannabis landscape with a focus on social equity. As part of an ongoing effort to embed fairness and opportunity within this burgeoning industry, city officials are calling for community feedback to inform the structure of a social equity program aimed at addressing the historical impact of cannabis criminalization.
Shaping an Equitable Future
Although Santa Monica has been slower than neighboring cities to embrace adult-use cannabis, the City Council’s October 2023 adoption of an Interim Zoning Ordinance marked a pivotal step. This ordinance allows the city’s two existing medicinal cannabis retailers—Harvest House of Cannabis and Local Cannabis Company—to sell recreational products. Now, city staff are developing a comprehensive ordinance to expand adult-use cannabis operations with an integral social equity component.
Cannabis social equity is more than just a buzzword. It’s an acknowledgment of the disproportionate harm experienced by minority communities due to past cannabis criminalization. According to the City’s April 2024 council meeting study session, this initiative aims to promote equitable ownership and employment opportunities in the cannabis industry and decrease disparities in outcomes for communities that have been most affected by the war on drugs.
Community Engagement is Key
For Santa Monica’s social equity program to be meaningful, officials are seeking input directly from residents. The city has launched a 10-minute survey available in both English and Spanish, which community members are encouraged to complete by November 30. The feedback gathered, coupled with data on local cannabis criminal arrests and demographic information, will guide the development of the social equity plan.
Beyond the survey, residents can attend a public cannabis equity workshop on November 13 at the Ken Edwards Center. This workshop will provide a general overview of the legal cannabis industry, shed light on the impacts of cannabis criminalization within Santa Monica, and outline the next steps in the program’s development.
Lessons from Los Angeles
City officials and cannabis business leaders alike are keen to avoid the pitfalls seen in other cities, particularly Los Angeles. While Los Angeles pioneered its own social equity program, many participants struggled due to a lack of funding and support, leading to numerous unfulfilled openings.
Sam Dabbs, owner of Harvest House of Cannabis, emphasized the importance of a well-structured program. He noted that many programs in Los Angeles failed to succeed due to insufficient financial backing and support, resulting in only a fraction of the intended stores opening. Steve Ratino, Compliance and Relations Officer at Harvest, agreed that a better-structured program is necessary to prevent failure.
Kyle Gordon, Operations Manager at Harvest, pointed out that collaboration could be key to Santa Monica’s success. He highlighted the need for the city to engage with existing business owners for input and advice to ensure the program’s success.
A Long Time Coming
The journey to legal cannabis sales in Santa Monica has been lengthy. The first dispensary in the city did not open until June 2023, a full six years after medical marijuana became legal in California. Now, with only two recreational cannabis retailers—Harvest House of Cannabis at 1418 Wilshire Blvd and Local Cannabis Company at 925 Wilshire Blvd—the city is looking to expand responsibly.
Looking Ahead
Santa Monica’s social equity program aims to ensure that those who have been most affected by past cannabis criminalization have fair opportunities to participate in and benefit from the legal industry. The social equity assessment, which will incorporate community feedback, is expected to shape key findings and recommendations that will be presented in early 2025.
Residents, business owners, and advocates are urged to contribute their perspectives to ensure that the program reflects the community’s needs and aspirations. For more details and to participate, visit santamonica.gov/programs/cannabis-in-santa-monica.
