First Social Equity Cannabis Retailer Opens in Sacramento

The first cannabis business fostered by Sacramento’s social equity program has opened its doors, CBS News Sacramento reports. Embarc, owned by Rob Jackson and Lauren Carpenter, is the first to open under CORE, the city’s cannabis equity program which offers training for Californians most affected by the war on drugs who want to open a cannabis business, the report says.   

“This storefront wouldn’t exist, but for the CORE program. The goal of that program was to recognize the impacts of the failed war on drugs on low-income communities and communities of color.” — Carpenter to CBS News Sacramento  

California’s capitol city started the program five years ago and out of the 40 citywide cannabis licenses, ten are reserved for CORE participants, the report says.  

Jackson explained that some of his family has been arrested for cannabis-related crimes. 

“People went to jail,” he said. “It’s just beyond rewarding (to open the store).” 

Located on Mack Road in South Sacramento, Embarc has 20 employees, all of whom are from the area, Jackson said. 

“Everyone that works here lives within seven miles, and I’m proud of that,” he said. 

One of the store’s first customers, Daniel Scott, told CBS News Sacramento that it is “nice to know” the shop is run by “someone who grew up in the community.”