August 2026
From Leadership to Legacy
Over the past year, we've celebrated women as entrepreneurs, caregivers, advocates, and community leaders. They demonstrate that equity is measured not only by who has a seat at the table, but by who has the opportunity to build it. Representation matters, but representation alone isn't enough. The next step is creating ecosystems for others to succeed. Women's Equality Day offers an opportunity to recognize that next step. The future of Social Equity will be defined not only by who owns businesses, but by those helping improve the policies, partnerships, and pathways that allow others to thrive. True equality is realized when institutions create opportunities for the next generation.
The Social Equity Team is thrilled to present our new docuseries, "Day in the Life." This series provides a behind-the-scenes look at the daily operations of successful cannabis businesses. The first episodes are available now on YouTube; check them out below!
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FROM THE SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRAM IN 2026?
FREE COACHING
DCR offers over 1,500 hours of free business, professional, and workforce development coaching with subject-matter experts. Complete and submit the Coaching Indemnification Form. THEN, CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT COACHING SESSION.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
The Business, Licensing & Compliance Assistance Program’s 2026 Webinar Series has begun! For the latest one on Business Risks & Protections click below.
FREE LEGAL SERVICES
You are eligible to apply for 10 hours of free legal assistance and 30 hours of legal assistance You are eligible to apply for 10 hours of free legal assistance and 30 hours of legal assistance for $35 per hour.
Visit our Job Board!
Whether you're hiring or on the hunt for your next opportunity, our updated platform is now live and ready to connect top talent with the roles they’re made for. Fresh listings, easier navigation, and new features to help you land the perfect job, check it out now!
THE LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS) LETS YOU ACCESS POPULAR TRAINING TOPICS FOR FREE.
GET STARTED TODAY!
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.
Important Update: Preparing for the 2031 Operating Permit Requirement
All commercial cannabis businesses must obtain an Operating Permit from the Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) on or before January 1, 2031. Achieving this milestone requires long-term planning and consistent progress through a series of permitting, inspection, and compliance requirements over the coming years.
Obtaining an Operating Permit is not a process that can be completed in a matter of weeks or months. It often requires coordination with multiple City departments, including the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), and may involve permit applications, plan reviews, inspections, public health approvals, and other regulatory requirements. Because each business's circumstances are unique, the timeline can vary significantly.
To help applicants and licensees successfully navigate this process, DCR has established annual renewal milestones designed to keep businesses on track toward obtaining an Operating Permit by the January 1, 2031 deadline. During each renewal cycle, licensees must demonstrate progress by submitting the required documentation through DCR's Licensing Portal.
DCR will continue providing guidance, educational materials, and outreach resources to help applicants and licensees understand these requirements and prepare for each milestone well in advance of the 2031 deadline.
DCR Renewal Milestones Timeline 2027 Renewal Period (9/1/2026-11/2/2026): By the end of this renewal period either, retain an active California licensed Engineer or Architect listed on the DCA website and include their name and license # OR provide your building permit application # from LADBS in the LIC-4025-FORM. 2028 Renewal Period (9/1/2027-10/31/2027): By the end of this renewal period, provide a building permit application # AND in-progress Clearance SummaryWorksheet required by the LA Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). 2029 Renewal Period (9/1/2028-10/31/2028): By the end of this renewal period, provide an active LA County Public Health Permit AND a building permit from LADBS. 2030 Renewal Period (9/1/2029-10/31/2029): By the end of this renewal period either, obtain an LADBS Certificate of Occupancy OR complete a final inspection with LADBS if they determine a Certificate of Occupancy is not required. By January 1, 2031: Obtain DCR’s Operating Permit by passing a final inspection and submitting an LADBS Certificate of Occupancy to DCR.* *Businesses will require an Operating Permit after 1/1/2031 to operate. No exceptions. |
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.
Need Some Assistance? Make an Office Hours Appointment
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.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR DCR UPDATES
IN THE NEWS
California Treasurer Announces Hearing On Cannabis Business Banking Access Issues
Cannabis Delivery Runs on Data — Most Operators Are Flying Blind
Voice of the Plant: Genetics are the cannabis industry's greatest asset – act accordingly
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DCR NEWS
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. 221 N. Figueroa St, Suite 1245, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Call (213) 978-0738 to speak with a DCR representative.
221 N. FIGUEROA ST.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Department of Cannabis Regulation.
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