ASSEMBLY FLOOR ALERT SB 51 (BRADFORD) SUPPORT
We, the undersigned equity advocates, owners, applicants, and disproportionately impacted community members, who have endured the profound impact of the War on Drugs, come together with an urgent plea regarding the vital Senate Bill 51 (SB51), which has passed the Assembly floor with an overwhelming vote of 55-3 and is now approaching a crucial vote in the Senate for concurrence.
SB51 is not just another piece of legislation; it embodies an opportunity to right historical wrongs, empower marginalized communities, and create a more inclusive and equitable cannabis industry. The War on Drugs has left deep scars, particularly in communities of color, and SB51 represents a chance to heal these wounds through meaningful action.
Many local jurisdictions have only recently begun granting drug war survivors the opportunity to obtain retail cannabis licenses. However, Social Equity Entrepreneurs now face the daunting challenge of securing an annual license while navigating an uneven playing field. This reality stands in stark contrast to the principles of equity outlined in Proposition 64 and SB 1294 (The California Equity Act), as it erects additional barriers instead of prioritizing those who have been most affected by the War on Drugs.
Leaders in the cannabis industry and local municipalities stand united in support of SB51. By extending provisional licenses for social equity retailers, SB51 provides a lifeline for Equity Entrepreneurs who often find themselves stalled due to the high costs associated with progressing to the final licensing phases, including site acquisition, approval, and inspections. Without a consistent flow of capital, social equity applicants are limited to working on a shoestring budget. Herein lies the value of the provisional licensing procedure – it enables applicants to capitalize on the opportunity to start their businesses while remaining in the licensing process. Simultaneously, the state and local governments can collect taxes rather than waiting for years for applicants to navigate the annual licensing requirements.
SB51, therefore, aligns the interests of all parties involved, promoting both economic empowerment and efficient revenue generation for the state. It represents a crucial step toward the equitable and just future we all envision for California.
We are the faces behind SB51 – the social equity entrepreneurs striving to build businesses, the applicants yearning for a fair chance, and the community members eager to see their neighborhoods revitalized. Our collective success in this emerging industry hinges on your support for this bill.
As you deliberate its fate in the Senate for concurrence, we ask you to consider the countless lives that will be positively impacted by SB51. It’s about economic empowerment, job creation, and revitalizing neighborhoods. It’s about dismantling the structural barriers that have hindered progress for far too long.
We implore you to seize this opportunity to be on the right side of history, to be the voice for those who have long been silenced, and to help create a brighter, more equitable future for all Californians. Please vote in favor of SB51 and be a part of this transformative change.
For any questions or more information feel free to contact: Kika@lifedevelopmentgroup.org.
With hope and gratitude,
421 GROUP
BEYOND EQUITY
BLUNTS AND MOORE
CALIFORNIA MINORITY ALLIANCE
CALIFORNIA URBAN PARTNERSHIP
CALIFORNIA CANNABIS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
CANNABIS EQUITY COALITION
CASA GRANDE
CATALYST
COASTAL SUN
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
CHRYOHARVEST
DEPARTMENT OF CANNABIS REGULATION
EQUITY TRADE GROUP
ELEFANTE
ELEVATE CULTURE CORPORATION
GREEN BELIEVERS
GREEN BEE BOTANICALS
THE HOOD INCUBATOR
HUMBOLDT GRACE
THE INSTITUTE FOR MORE
LAW OFFICES OF OMAR FIGUEROA
LIFE DEVELOPMENT GROUP
LOS ANGELES METROPOLITAN CHURCHES
LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF CANNABIS
REGULATION
LONG BEACH CANNABIS COMMERCE COUNCIL
MARIJUANA INDUSTRY TRADE ASSOCIATION
MEADOW
MINORITY CANNABIS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
NEW YORK CAURD COALITION
ORBIT CANNABIS
PIRATE TOWN
THE RESOURCERY
SAN FRANCISCO CANNABIS RETAILERS ALLIANCE
SAN DIEGO CANNABIS TIMES
SMASTE
SOCIAL EQUITY OWNERS AND WORKERS ASSOCIATION
THE SOCIAL IMPACT CENTER
SONOMA COUNTY CANNABIS ALLIANCE
SONOMA HILL FARMS
SONOMA VALLEY COUNTY GROUP
SOCIAL EQUITY LOS ANGELES
SPANKY DOODLE DANDY’S
STUDENTS FOR SENSIBLE DRUG POLICY
SUPERNOVA WOMEN
THINK AND GROW LAB
TRACE TRUST
THE WELDON PROJECT
THE WORKING GROUP
