All Licensees must obtain an Operating Permit from the Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) on or before January 1, 2031. However, receiving an Operating Permit requires meeting additional important milestones each year at DCR renewal periods that begin in September each year. 

Each year during the renewal cycle, the Licensee must meet required milestones and submit documented evidence to DCR’s Licensing Portal that they have met the the milestone for that renewal year as stated in Regulation No. 5 (A)(8)) of the  Rules and Regulations for Cannabis Procedures. These timelines are designed for record holders to make necessary year to year progress to receive an Operating Permit by the 2031 deadline. There are no plans to adjust this timeline. The Public Health Permit requirement will be due at the 2027 Renewal period this coming September 2026.

LADBS also offers assistance through the Restaurant & Small Business Express Program by assigning a case manager to help owners navigate the City’s various permit processes. Often, cannabis businesses seek consultant services to manage the leg work for some or all permit requirements. 

This upcoming renewal period, beginning on September 1, 2026, will require all licensees to submit an in-progress Clearance Summary Worksheet from DBS and a current Public Health Department permit.

Annual Licensing

To date, 347 retailers have received approval for Annual Licensure from the City of Los Angeles Cannabis Regulation Commission (CRC). 

Community meetings are a requirement prior to scheduling a hearing in front of the Cannabis Regulation Commission, who is ultimately responsible for the approval or denial of an Annual License.

DCR continues to prioritize the review of all annual applications based on the following criteria: (1) upcoming State license expiration dates; (2) non-retail Social Equity businesses who do not have a state provisional license; (3) Social Equity retail businesses; and, (4) all other businesses.

To find out more about the Annual Licensing process, please visit our website. DCR will be releasing a guide with next steps this month for all recent recipients of an Annual License, stay tuned. 

Is Your DBA On File With DCR?

Do you have a DBA (Doing Business As)? Is it registered in Accela?

If not, you will also need to submit a Modification Request with DCR (via Accela) to add your DBA. 

To complete this process, please submit form LIC-4001-MOD and include the FBN filing stamped by the LA County Registrar Recorder/Clerk. Modification requests are free of charge.

Please file this ASAP as it needs to be completed before you receive a Notice of Completed Application pertaining to the annual licensing process. If you have any questions about the DBA process, reach out to your assigned DCR licensing staff member.

New Office Hours

DCR has introduced Office Hours so that stakeholders can meet one-on-one with staff from the licensing, compliance, or social equity teams. This service replaces DCR’s Public Counter Hours with expanded access to DCR staff.