City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: September 22, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.I
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Darrick Jacob, Police Chief, Police Department
Subject: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing to Accept Grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections for the Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program, Cohort 4
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the acceptance of a grant awarded in the amount of $4,500,000 from the Board of State and Community Corrections for the Proposition 64 Public Health & Safety Grant Program for use by the Police Department;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to accept the grant, and all grant renewals; and
4. Authorize the budget amendment as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of this report (requires 5 votes).
Summary
The Santa Monica Police Department (“SMPD”) has been awarded a $4,500,000 Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections (“BSCC”). Funds must be used by the end of the grant period, or by December 31, 2031, and no local match is required. The grant aims to provide a data driven program to reduce illicit cannabis activity, combat retail theft, and protect public health in the City of Santa Monica. SMPD will use sworn personnel and the Santa Monica Analytical Real-Time Center (“SMART Center”) to conduct 2 of 3
targeted enforcement, including inspections, compliance checks, surveillance, controlled buys, and follow up investigations of unlicensed cannabis operators, storefronts, delivery services, and cultivation sites. This will improve SMPD’s ability to deter, detect, locate, and investigate organized retail thefts, illicit cannabis activity, and protect public health in the City.
Discussion
In November 2016, California voters approved Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate, and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (“AUMA”), which created the Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program. Grant funding under the program is available to any California city or county government that either: 1) allows for the retail sale of cannabis in storefronts or 2) allows cannabis delivery that serves both medicinal and adult-use consumers.
On March 30, 2026, SMPD submitted a grant application to leverage funds for the SMART Center and sworn personnel to reduce illicit cannabis activity, disrupt retail theft, and protect public health. On June 26, 2026, SMPD was notified of its award in the amount of $4,500,000. SMPD will also deliver outreach and educational messaging to residents, visitors, and business owners to promote the identification of licensed cannabis retailers, improve understanding of regulatory requirements, and encourage the reporting of suspected illegal activity.
Environmental Review
The acceptance of the grant and use of grant funding is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. The grant covered by the commonsense exemption which states that CEQA does not apply, “where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” The grant will support the Police Department operations and functions, providing funding for overtime costs, equipment, and training.
Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the proposed modification would not result in adverse physical impacts on the environment, and as such, is categorically exempt from CEQA.
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Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to accept a grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections, Cohort 4 Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program.
Approval of the recommended action requires the following budget amendment:
FY 2026-27 Grant Budget Amendment
Establish Revenue Budget Appropriate Funds
Account Number Amount Account Number Amount
20180001.4XXXXX $4,500,000 20180001.5XXXXX $2,700,000
20180001.5XXXXX.XXXX $1,800,000
Total $4,500,000 Total $4,500,000
If renewals are awarded, budget adjustments will be included in subsequent year budgets, contingent on Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Kiajett Charles, Administrative Analyst
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Prop 64 Resolution