Step by step grants guide for eligible grantees

To be eligible for grants, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria, adopted by OOC in coordination with the Cannabis Oversight Committee, as of December, 31, 2023

• The applicant must at all times be an Equity Applicant, and must at all times have a Cannabis Business Permit application submitted to OOC without disqualifying factors (which include but are not limited to withdrawal, abandonment, and applicant ineligibility);
• The Equity Applicant must own at least 51% of the corporate Applicant connected with their Cannabis Business Permit application;
• The Equity Applicant’s Cannabis Business Permit application must have been formally referred to the Planning Department and have a status of Build-out or Approved.

Grant awards must be used to support the Cannabis Business Permit application that meets the above criteria. The OOC will circulate an award notification to eligible applicants. Applicants will then be required to notify the OOC no later than February 02, 2024 of their intent to move forward.

You may need the following insurance if you’re an operating business:

• General Liability Insurance
• Automobile Insurance, if applicable
• Workers' Compensation, if you have employees
• Product liability insurance, if applicable

The Cannabis Grants bulletin is available here. The bulletin includes information about eligibility, documentation requirements, and eligible expense categories.

Email cannabisgrants@sfgov.org with any questions about the grant process.

Need help? Equity applicants are eligible for free technical assistance.

Eligible applicants will get information about how to claim their grant funding when they sign their Grant Agreement. 

Eligible expense categories include:

• Rent
• Regulatory compliance
• Legal assistance
• Local and state application, licensing, and regulatory fees
• Testing of cannabis
• Furniture
• Fixtures and equipment
• Capital improvements
• Banking and escrow fees
• Accounting services
• Packaging and materials
• Marketing and advertising
• Tax liability of the cannabis business