Socially Equitable Cannabis Program

The Socially Equitable Cannabis Program (SECP) is a comprehensive regulatory and licensing framework established by San Diego County to manage commercial cannabis activities in unincorporated areas. The program allows for the operation of cultivation, distribution, manufacturing, testing laboratories, microbusinesses, retail outlets, on-site consumption lounges, and temporary cannabis events. A primary objective of the SECP is to rectify injustices resulting from the criminalization of cannabis by providing qualified applicants with social equity support, including expungement services, business and technical assistance, coaching, mentoring, and grant opportunities. The program was fully implemented following a series of actions by the Board of Supervisors in August and September 2026, which included the adoption of amendments to the San Diego County Zoning Ordinance and the County Code of Regulatory Ordinances. To ensure environmental compliance, the program adhered to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) through the certification of a Program Environmental Impact Report and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. Operational requirements include adherence to state buffer regulations for sensitive uses and the implementation of written product quality plans for manufacturers. All licenses are subject to standard county approvals, including building permits, fire control authority clearance, and Department of Environmental Health and Quality approvals.