December 2025
The Year of Becoming
2025 was a year where the work spoke for itself, and DCR’s commitment to service showed up in measurable progress. Joint inspections, clearer guidance, and strengthened technical assistance helped operators move forward with fewer barriers and more confidence. Record participation in our webinars, outreach sessions and renewals reflected a community that’s engaged, informed, and ready to grow.
Partnerships across City departments sharpened our ability to respond quickly and consistently, especially for Social Equity entrepreneurs. Operators reminded us daily what determination looks like, and where the government must continue to evolve. Their feedback, calling for transparency, predictability, human connection, internal improvements and inter-team collaboration helped shape and inform the efficacy of our BLC program.
This year reinforced a simple truth: equity is built through steady, accountable action. As we look to 2026, our focus is clear, expand access, simplify processes, and deliver clarity at every step of the regulatory journey. We remain optimistic, because each milestone shows what’s possible when public service is rooted in purpose and people.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FROM THE SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRAM IN 2025?
The Job Board is back!
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 fit—check it out now!
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 2025 Webinar Series has begun! For the latest one on Tax Compliance click below.
FREE LEGAL SERVICES
You are eligible to apply for 10 hours of free legal assistance and 30 hours of legal assistance for $35 per hour.
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.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LMS COURSES
Watch past webinars below.
Business Plan Development Part 1 11/13/2025
Acquiring Compliant Real Estate 10/6/2025
State Equity Overview 10/9/2025
State Licensing Update (9/25/2025)
Upcoming December Webinars
Date/Time | Host | Event Title |
12/11/2025 12:00 PM | La Wanda Knox | Business Plan Development Part 2 |
No-Cost Expert Guidance for Social Equity Applicants
Navigate the cannabis industry with confidence! Our team of social equity subject matter experts are available to provide complimentary assistance and answer your business-related questions. We encourage all Social Equity applicants to take advantage of this valuable resource.
Meet a few of them below.
Complete and submit the Coaching Indemnification Form. Then, click here to schedule your next coaching session!
Annual Licensing
To date, 344 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.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR DCR UPDATES
IN THE NEWS
How Gen Z’s buying habits are reshaping legal cannabis retail
There's No Reason To Increase The Legal Age For Cannabis Use To 25, New Scientific Paper Concludes
How cannabis businesses can go digital while thwarting hackers
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. 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.
221 N. FIGUEROA ST.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Copyright (C) 2024
Department of Cannabis Regulation.
All rights reserved.
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