CA SB166

Department of Cannabis Control must develop and implement a program to provide fee waivers by January 1, 2022, and fee deferrals by January 1, 2023, for application fees, licensing fees, and renewal fees required under cannabis licensing law.

At least 60 percent of total waived fees and 60 percent of total deferred fees must be allocated to equity applicants and licensees who meet specified criteria including prior cannabis convictions/arrests, low household income, or residence in areas disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition.

Equity applicants and licensees must own at least 50 percent of the business being licensed or already licensed, either individually or in combination with other qualifying equity applicants or licensees.

Removes the "local" qualifier from provisional licensing provisions for equity applicants, allowing provisional licenses for local equity applications without restricting the application type as long as cultivation premises do not exceed specified canopy limits.

Appropriates $10,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Cannabis Control for implementation and takes effect immediately as a budget-related bill.