August 2024 Newsletter - Equity grant fiasco

County Gives Equity Grant Money to the Wrong People

Dear Neighbors,

Sonoma County should be embarrassed by the roll-out of the cannabis equity grant program which according to Board Chair Rabbitt in a May press release; “…aims to serve socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals” in the industry.  Instead, the monies went to; “…the most successful and influential people in the county’s legal cannabis industry,” according to the Sebastopol Times.  None of the recipients appear to meet the spirit of the program; none appear deserving.

The Neighborhood Coalition (NC) was directly involved in the exposure of this fiasco. Ezra Wallach, a reporter from the Sebastopol Times, contacted the NC and became interested in the cannabis equity grant program after learning that the County received $628,000 to distribute to “deserving” applicants. His article was picked up and augmented by the S.F. Gate and the L.A. Times and later published in Google alerts.  Where's the Press Democrat coverage on any controversial cannabis news?

Four grants, totaling 22% of the money available, were awarded to individuals associated with SPARC, a successful cannabis operator who also owns seven dispensaries.  Eight additional grants went to other established industry players in the county including $39,687 to an alleged white supremacist who shut down a Board of Supervisors meeting last October. A $50,000 grant went to an individual for “building repairs” even though this grower had people living in cargo containers according to a Code Enforcement report and had racked up fines totaling $669K for unpermitted electrical, unpermitted greenhouses, and building and safety violations.

SUNSHINE IS THE BEST MEDICINE. Thanks to the press for uncovering and reporting this waste of taxpayer monies.

DONATE NOW TO SUPPORT MORE SUNSHINE

Take action - DONATE TODAY to stop Sonoma County from approving the most dangerous elements of a cannabis ordinance that will increase crime and put our rural neighborhoods at risk. The Board of Supervisors are proposing changes that will allow 104 cannabis events per year, dispensary retail sales, and industrial processing in our neighborhoods and rural lands. This would expose families to violence, impaired driving, and health impacts.

Your tax-deductible donation will fund technical experts and research that is critical to force the County to protect our environment, children, and the health and safety of our neighborhoods.

You can also mail a check to:
Sonoma Neighborhood Coalition
PO Box 1229
Sebastopol, CA 95473

Thank you for donating today.

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