Does Entrepreneurship Program for Convicted Personnel Reduce Re-offending?

This study evaluates whether participation in Los Angeles's Cannabis Social Equity Program (SEP), which assists individuals with cannabis-related convictions in starting legal businesses. It aims to answer whether such entrepreneurship program reduces recidivism. Using linked administrative application data, jail records, and residential history, I compare post-application incarceration outcomes between approved and un- approved applicants. Results show no significant difference in the number of jail book- ings or incarceration length between treatment and control groups. These findings suggest limited short-term impacts of SEP participation on re-offending and highlight the need for longer-term data and broader outcome measures to fully assess the pro- gram's effectiveness.