April 2024
This April, DCR and the Social Equity Program Team acknowledge and highlight all the equity businesses in Los Angeles that have persevered to get where they are now. In an effort to raise awareness and contribute to the success of equity businesses and brands, DCR is announcing April 15-20 as its Inaugural Equity Week in Los Angeles!
DCR recognizes the endeavors, determination, and well–deserved successes of all equity entrepreneurs in the cannabis space while continuing to navigate through an evolving industry.
Throughout Equity Week, DCR will be highlighting Equity Retail businesses on our website, social media, email and text blasts. Look for Social Equity retail businesses that you can support during Equity Week by searching for the green star on the Licensed Retail Location Map.
Support Legal. Support Local. Support Equity.
BLC Spotlight
DCR extends our gratitude and congratulations to all of the champions of the social equity community whose unwavering dedication and perseverance have laid the foundations for a more inclusive and equitable future.
As we celebrate the accomplishments of the equity community, we must also recognize the work that lies ahead. Despite the progress that has been made, there is still much ground to cover in our journey towards true equity and justice in the cannabis industry. Continue to support Equity businesses by:
- Buying products made by equity brands
- Asking retailers how they support equity businesses
- Continue to advocate to your local Council Members, remain educated on state taxation and federal legislation
- Donating to organizations working to support cannabis equity
April 11 - Equity Week Kickoff Event: SEP Educational Summit -Live training, professional development and networking.
Equity Week April 15- April 20 - DCR SEP Inaugural Social Equity Week. Support Social Equity Retail Businesses and Brands in Los Angeles through 4/20.
The more you know...
Do you know how 420 came to be? Watch this video on the 420 Founding Fathers on Meet The Founding Fathers Of 420: The Waldos | Forbes.
DCR wishes you a Happy 420 and reminds you to celebrate responsibly!
Important Updates
DCC EQUITY FEE WAIVER FUNDING NOTICE
Attention!
Funding for equity fee waivers offered to qualified businesses through the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) is approaching zero. Once funding runs out, both locally verified and non-locally verified equity licensees will no longer be able to have their state license fee waived. However, equity businesses may still qualify for six-month fee deferrals.
Equity licensees are still encouraged to apply for a fee waiver through the Department of Cannabis Control and the Department will continue to review submissions even after funds are exhausted, as fee waiver qualification is a requirement for other programs offered through other agencies.
SOCIAL EQUITY DEADLINE EXTENSION
Mayor Karen Bass signed into law a deadline extension for 100 Social Equity Applicants selected in the Phase 3 Retail Round 2 Retail Cannabis License Lottery, allowing them three additional years, until December 31, 2026, to enter the license application process. The original deadline expired on December 8, 2023. The new ordinance also allows DCR to continue accepting Temporary Approval applications from retail social equity applicants through January 1, 2031.
The move by the City Council came after the passage of the State’s SB 51, which allows the State of California’s Department of Cannabis Control to extend its provisional license program by allowing cannabis equity retail applicants or licensees to obtain or renew state provisional licenses after the prior deadline of June 30, 2023.
SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRAM WEBSITE UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE
The Social Equity Program website (dcrsep.org) dedicated to the Business, License, and Compliance Programs and DCR Job Board is undergoing maintenance. For information on the SEP, please click here for the DCR website.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
DCR updated its Rules and Regulations. Please take a few minutes to read through the new rules and regulations, including those to Regulation No. 5. The cannabis industry is a fast-growing and changing one. It is critical you stay up-to-date on the new rules and regulations.
Summary of the New Rules and Regulations HERE
Pro Bono - Low Bono Legal Services Now Available
All Social Equity Individual Applicants who have passed the Pre-Application stage are now eligible to apply for Pro Bono - Low Bono Legal Services offered by the DCR Social Equity Program in partnership with the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA).
Access to affordable legal services continues to be a major barrier for the Social Equity community. It is critical that Social Equity Individual Applicants and licensees seek and obtain legal counsel early to avoid predatory practices, pitfalls, and mistakes. Applicants can apply to receive up to 40 hours of legal services: 10 hours of free pro bono assistance and 30 hours of low bono assistance for $35 per hour.
Try the FREE Learning Management System (LMS)
As part of the BLC Assistance Program, this online Learning Management System (LMS) provides you with over 160 hours of self-paced educational content on key topics to assist with standing up your business and staying in compliance.
If you are accessing the LMS system for the first time, please log in using the email address linked to your DCR Accela Account and use “Password1”. If you are having difficulty logging into the LMS, contact us at dcr.sep@lacity.org
Get the latest cannabis news from around the country.
News
U.S. Cannabis Sales Are Projected To Exceed $31 Billion In 2024
A Number of Hemp and CBD Products Sold On Amazon Are Found To Be Mislabeled
The DEA Is ‘Working Quickly’ On Cannabis Rescheduling, According To Vice President Kamala Harris
The First Black Woman Owned Dispensary In Manhattan Opens Its Doors This Month
Exploring Cannabis as Medicine: Q&A With Researcher Jean Talleyrand
Florida Bill Aims To Award Medical Cannabis Licenses To Black Farmers
Medical Cannabis Patients Report Lasting Quality of Life Benefits
Breaking The Stoner Stereotype: Are Cannabis Consumers More Active and In Shape Than Non Consumers?
A Changing Market: Ways To Prepare For Cannabis As A Natural Product
North Carolina’s First Cannabis Dispensary Is Set To Open Their Doors On 420
BLC Resources
- Free Pro Bono - Low Bono ($35/hour) Legal Services
- Learning Management System (LMS)
- Support Social Equity Program (SEP) stores - Find a retailer HERE
Thank you for reading our monthly CannaDispatch newsletter, designed to provide timely and useful information about DCR-SEP news, services, programming and resources for the Los Angeles Social Equity community, SEIAs, licensees and operators.
If you have suggestions for future newsletter topics, please email us at dcr.sep@lacity.org. The DCR public counter is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 221 N. Figueroa St, Suite 1245, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Call (213) 978-0738 to speak with a DCR representative.