FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2026
Media Contact
Angela Herrera Perez
press@opportunity.lacounty.gov
LA County Launches Cannabis Social Equity Entrepreneurship Academy
6-Week, No-Cost Education And Training Program For Individuals Interested In Starting A Retail Or Delivery Cannabis Business Is Now Open For Enrollment
Los Angeles, CA — The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs’ (DCBA) Office of CannabisManagement (OCM) today announced the launch of the Cannabis Social EquityEntrepreneurship Academy (Entrepreneurship Academy), a no‑cost education and readiness program designed to provide foundational knowledge about cannabis retail entrepreneurship and key business considerations within the context of the County’s proposed equitable commercial cannabis framework.
The program builds on the February 2022 motion introduced by Board Chair and First District Supervisors Hilda L. Solis and Second District Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, directing DCBA to develop an equitable cannabis framework for unincorporated Los Angeles County. While legalization has expanded economic opportunities in parts of California, many residents—particularly those from low-income communities disproportionately affected by past enforcement actions related to anti-cannabis policies—continue to face significant barriers to entry. These include limited access to capital and space, complex regulatory requirements, and a lack of industry-specific expertise, all of which hinder meaningful participation in the legalized market. Absent intentional intervention, these disparities are likely to persist if the County adopts a regulated commercial cannabisframework for unincorporated areas in the future.
“As we work to establish a regulated cannabis industry in the unincorporated areas of the County, we have a responsibility to ensure that those most harmed by inequitable cannabis enforcement policies have a fair opportunity to participate and succeed. The Cannabis Social Equity Entrepreneurship Academy is an important step toward breaking down barriers to entry, expanding pathways to entrepreneurship, and advancing economic justice for communities that have been excluded from opportunity for generations,” said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis.
“For too long, communities across in my district bore the brunt of cannabis criminalization, only to be locked out of the economic opportunities that legalization created. The Cannabis Social Equity Entrepreneurship Academy is how we begin to make that right. By investing in entrepreneurs from the communities most harmed by past enforcement, we are building a cannabis industry in unincorporated LA County that is equitable by design, not by accident. I am proud to see our vision around equitable entrepreneurshipopportunities come to life,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District.
The Cannabis Social Equity Entrepreneurship Academy is part of DEO’s Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI), which expands the reach of the Office of Small Business with 15+ partners and the provision of education, training and technical assistance, and access to capital to businesses countywide. Through a six-week curriculum delivered in weekly evening sessions—offered both in person and virtually—participants gain the knowledge and tools needed to launch or grow a cannabis retail or delivery business in LA County. The program covers core business fundamentals essential to starting and operating any business, along with an overview of cannabis regulations, licensing, compliance, and operations. The Entrepreneurship Academy further pairs classroom instruction with one-on-one counseling and mentorship to help each participant refine and advance their individual business goals. Recognizing that equitable industry growth also depends on a strong workforce pipeline, the program additionally prepares participants for leadership and management roles within the cannabis sector.
The program is open to LA County residents who are at least 21 years old, interested in potentially starting or operating a retail or delivery cannabis business in the unincorporated areas of the County, and able to commit to the full six-week program. Priority is provided to individuals and family members of individuals who experienced cannabis-related arrests or convictions prior to the legalization of cannabis in 2016.
The first cohort begins on June 2, 2026. A total of four cohorts will run between June 2 and the end of December 2026, collectively expected to servea pproximately 100 participants. Interested residents can apply at emi.lacounty.gov/cannabis–academy.
“The Cannabis Social Equity Entrepreneurship Academy represents a meaningful step toward ensuring that Los Angeles County‘s emerging cannabis market reflects the communities that were most affected by decades of harmful prior policy. By equipping residents with the skills, knowledge, and connections to compete in the legal market, the County is creating real and lasting pathways to economic opportunity,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of DEO.
“We are proud to partner with the Department of Economic Opportunity to support the Cannabis Social Equity Entrepreneurship Academy,” said Rafael Carbajal, Director of DCBA. “While the County’s proposed Social Equity Program is still under development, this Academy provides communities and individuals disproportionately impacted by past cannabis enforcement with early access to clear information and guidance that can help open doors historically closed to them. We’re helping future entrepreneurs understand the realities of operating in a highly regulated industry. This is an important step toward leveling the playing field and building a more inclusive and equitable cannabismarketplace.”
Funding for the Cannabis Social Equity Entrepreneurship Academy is provided through a $300,000 investment from the LA County Justice Care and Opportunity Department’s County‘s Care First Community Investment initiative and an additional $11,000 in state grant funding. The program is delivered in partnership with Initiating Change in our Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation (ICON CDC), which provides business training and technical assistance, and in partnership with KindWorks, which delivers cannabis-specific education and support.
To learn more about the Economic Mobility Initiative, visit: emi.lacounty.gov. To learn more about DCBA’s Office of Cannabis Management, visit cannabis.lacounty.gov.
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About DEO: About DEO: The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has a vision for a more equitable economy with thriving communities, inclusive and sustainable growth, and opportunity and mobility for all. The department, with its America’s Job Centers of California, Office of Small Business, and hundreds of programs and partners, creates quality jobs, helps small businesses and high-road employers start and grow, and builds vibrant communities and spaces. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services.