CORE Program Benefits

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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:

  • Business plan development 
  • Business needs assessment 
  • Market assessment 
  • Data and research strategies 
  • Assistance with criminal records expungement 
  • Marketing/social media 
  • Regulatory compliance

Benefits for CORE program participants based on classification:

Classifications 1, 2, 3 & 5

  • Priority processing of application(s) 
  • Waiver of the Business Operating Permit (BOP) fee 
  • Exclusive access to any future storefront dispensary permits

Classification 4

  • Qualified and ready CORE participants to host 
  •  Priority processing of application(s)

Finding a suitable site for a CORE cannabis business

To initiate the process of establishing a CORE business in Sacramento, CORE participants must first locate a suitable site. The Map Viewer allows participants to research locations that may permit cannabis business operations within the city. With this tool, participants can explore the zoning of a parcel and its proximity to schools, parks, and other facilities that may impact the type of permits allowed.

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 subsequent regulatory review steps, such as building permits, police department, and business operating permits, to determine if the selected site is suitable for cannabis business activities.

The goal of the Map Viewer and Pre-Application Meeting is to offer additional support to CORE participants and to reduce the risks, including time and financial investments, associated with the permit review process. 

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Media and public outreach initatives

The CORE Program conducts a media and public outreach campaign, aiming to educate the community about the program and its participants. This campaign also seeks to foster consumer awareness and support for CORE businesses, encouraging them to make informed choices in their cannabis purchases.

ENCORE - networking events

The Office of Cannabis coordinates quarterly ENCORE Mixer events with the dual purpose of cultivating networking opportunities and nurturing meaningful connections among CORE participants, permitted businesses, and ancillary enterprises. Additionally, these mixers feature engaging panels where equity operators share their stories, providing valuable insights and perspectives within the cannabis industry

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ENCORE launch event

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Small business management - educational courses

The Office of Cannabis Management partners with Los Rios Community College District to provide cannabis small business management courses for CORE participants at no cost. The course's purpose is to equip the participants with business operations, HR, and the specific cannabis regulations in Sacramento.

Cannabis Storefront Dispensary Permit RFQ (2021)

Background:

The City Council approved the new storefront dispensary permits in October of 2020, increasing the number of storefront permits allowed in the city from 30 to 40.

To be considered for the new permits, applicants must be participants in the City’s Cannabis Opportunity Reinvestment and Equity (CORE) program, which works to remove barriers of entry into the cannabis industry for individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs.

Cannabis Storefront Dispensary Permit RFQ Process: 

On October 13, 2020, the City Council adopted RESOLUTION NO. 2020-0338 to create a process for issuing storefront cannabis dispensary permits to individuals or groups of individuals in classifications 1 or 2 of the CORE Program.

The top 10 scoring applicants of the RFQ: 

  • Maisha Bahati
  • Brandon Bolton (surrendered opportunity)
  • Mindy Galloway
  • Jarett Hill
  • Robert Jackson
  • Daniel Kang
  • La Krisha King
  • Mark Mabutas
  • Malaki Seku Amen
  • Michael Snell
  • Diane Reveles
  • Elaine Lu (Non-CORE storefront opportunity availability)

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