Cannabis Resources for Starting your own Cannabis Business in Sacramento
Last week I attended my first WOC Canna event. I gained so much valuable information, so I'm sharing it with y'all. If you're interested in owning a cannabis business or getting into this industry, this post is your vibe.
THE EVENT
The panel consisted of cannabis women of color: Maisha Bahati, who is the founder of Crystal Nugs, the first black and women-owned licensed cannabis delivery in Sacramento, and Eliza Maroney is the founder of Lucky Box Club, a cannabis subscription service, and The Herban Exchange, which is a cannabis community that has talks every 3rd Wednesday in Sacramento.
KEY TAKE-AWAYS
After hearing their expertise and experiences in starting a cannabis business, I learned some of these key takeaways that are pretty important:
Starting a cannabis business will cost money, and you will pay at least 100K in fees.
Delivery service is the easiest way to get your foot in the door. From there, you can always work yourself up within the industry.
It's also easier (not as easy as fuck though) to obtain an onsite consumption permit. You do not need to be a business to do so, either. You will pay about 5K annually, but the problem isn't getting the permit; it's finding a location. Currently, you can only have onsite consumption at Cal Expo and other agriculture areas, and it must be 1000 feet away from kids.
Are you interested in cultivation? Start growing your own personal first. You can grow up to 6 plants in the city of Sacramento. The Cannabis Growers Bible is your friend and an excellent guidebook.
Dispensaries are something you won't be starting. Not only will you need millions but you also will need a permit and the city isn't giving out any. They suggested getting your foot in the door first, then working your way up.
Keep in mind that you cannot write off business expenses if you have a cannabis business.
CITY RESOURCES
After hearing them speak, we got to hear from Nick from the City of Sacramento, who works in the code enforcement department. He reminded us that we pay his paycheck and utilize him as a resource when needed. If you have any questions about obtaining licensing and permits, I would start by reaching out to him before a consultant.
GROW GREEN PROGRAM
The Sacramento Asian Chamber of Commerce shared their Sacramento Grow Green Program.
This program targets individuals who have lived in low-income households and were arrested for cannabis-related crimes in Sacramento between 1980-2011.
If you lived in the following zip codes between 1980-2011, you are also eligible: 95811, 95815, 95817, 95820, 95823, 95824, 95826, 95828, 95818, 95838, 95832.
This program will help you develop a professional business plan, learn about access to capital and loan readiness, and help you get assistance with criminal record expungement, if needed.
SACRAMENTO CANNABIS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
Another great resource is the Sacramento Cannabis Industry Association. Their goal is to provide the best resources for people interested in working in the industry. So if you're interested in getting a job in cannabis, I would check them out. They also provide training certification and networking mixers.
Overall, I had a great time attending my first WOC event. You can catch me at their next event on an Introduction to Indoor Cannabis Growing for Personal Use. Hopefully, I'll be able to make it- I'm just ten weeks away from my due date.
