Happy New Year, and welcome to new beginnings. The Department of Cannabis Regulation’s (DCR) Social Equity Program (SEP) wishes you continued success, health, and prosperity in 2023. As the commercial cannabis regulating authority in the City of Los Angeles, we want to see entrepreneurs, start-ups, existing businesses, and the cannabis workforce thrive.
The DCR - SEP remains committed to providing tools, resources, and services that cultivate knowledge to prepare you for success. As a Social Equity Individual Applicant (SEIA), you have immediate access to financial grant opportunities, business coaching, educational courses, and legal services, among others. These services and resources are designed to fast-track your business and provide real-world, practical information and education, and best practices that you can apply directly to your business.
Let's run through a quick outline of this email:
- Check out our new BLC website!
- SEED 2022 Rental Assistance Grant Program
- Pro Bono/Low Bono Legal Services Survey
- Employer Tool Kit
- What We're Consuming
As always, feel free to email DCR.SEP@lacity.org if you have any questions.
Have you checked out the Department of Cannabis Regulation Business, Licensing, and Compliance Assistance Program's new website?
This website is a one-stop shop for growing cannabis entrepreneurs:
- Our Learning Management System with over 100 hours of content to help you launch your business;
- Employer Resources;
- and News and Updates.
Click here to see a message from SEIA, Alfred Torregano, CEO of Space Flyt
Don’t wait. Seize the day and start now to begin accessing all DCR - SEP tools and resources SEIA BLC Success Tools.
Dear Social Equity Individual Applicant and Licensee:
In our continuing efforts to provide support resources and services that cultivate business success, the Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) encourages all verified Social Equity Individual Applicants (SEIA) and those with an active application to apply now for the $5 million Social Equity Entrepreneur Development (SEED) 2022 Rental Assistance Grant Program. The application period opened September 30, 2022, and runs through March 30, 2023 (11:59 PM PT).
To apply online, register for an account at Elevate Impact LA
SEED 2022 Rental Assistance Grant Program
Verified Social Equity Individual Applicants (SEIAs) of Phase 3 Retail Round 1 and all other SEIAs with an active application or license are encouraged to apply now to receive up to $50,000 or $10,000 for rental assistance. Those who apply must meet the following criteria:*
SEED 1.0
$50,000 Grant Eligibility - Verified Phase 3 Retail Round 1 SEIAs whose applications have been deemed eligible for further processing and who have an executed lease or a binding Letter of Intent.
SEED 2.0
$10,000 Grant Eligibility - Verified SEIAs who have executed leases in all other license types (excluding Phase 3 Retail Round 1).
*Applicants who receive funds under SEED 1.0 are not eligible for SEED 2.0. Applicants who receive funds under SEED 2.0 are not eligible for SEED 1.0.
How can I use the SEED 1.0 & 2.0 Rental Assistance Grant Funds?
- To pay rent on a fully executed commercial lease.
- To finance up to one month of back rent due on a fully executed commercial lease.
- To secure a binding Letter of Intent by paying the required security deposit.
- To assist with tenant build-out costs as long as estimates and/or unpaid invoices totaling the grant amount are submitted with the grant application.
To apply online, register for an account at Elevate Impact LA
The City of Los Angeles established the SEED Grant Program in April of 2021. The SEED Grant Program utilizes funding from the Cannabis Equity Grant for Local Jurisdictions (CEG Grant) to provide direct financial assistance to verified Social Equity Individual Applicants and Licensees. To date, the City of Los Angeles has dedicated $11 million towards the SEED Grant Program with funds made available through 2019, 2020, and 2022 CEG Grant awards. The Rules and Regulations for the SEED Grant Program can be found on page 46 here. The City of Los Angeles reserves the right to evaluate and revise the SEED Grant Program at any time in the future based on information gathered in its evaluation.
For more information on other DCR resources available to verified SEIA, please visit our Social Equity Program page here.
If you have questions about the SEED Rental Assistance Grant Program or the Social Equity program, please send an email to DCR.SEP@lacity.org.
Disclaimer:
The City of Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation is responsible for administering the commercial cannabis licensing and regulatory program established by the Los Angeles City Council. Specifically, DCR processes all applications for commercial cannabis licenses in the City of Los Angeles, makes licensing decisions or licensing recommendations to the Cannabis Regulation Commission, and regulates the operations of licensed commercial cannabis businesses in the City.
In our continuing commitment to provide resources and services that cultivate opportunity and business success, the Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation’s (DCR) Social Equity Program announces the launch of the Low Bono Legal Services Program in partnership with the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA), effective immediately.
In addition to our pro bono program that provides up to 10 hours of free legal advice for verified Social Equity Individual Applicants (SEIA), DCR has partnered with LACBA to develop a low bono program that allows those who qualify to receive up to 30 hours of legal advice at a discounted rate of $35 per hour. Outside of this program, attorney’s fees can range from $350 to $750 per hour. Eligible users will be linked to the LACBA Cannabis Section and attorneys specializing in contracts, leases, business structures, labor law, landlord/tenant law, and more.
Access to affordable legal services continues to be a barrier for the social equity cannabis community. The Los Angeles licensed cannabis business sector is still a relatively new and emerging industry. It is critical that entrepreneurs seek and obtain legal counsel early to avoid predatory practices, pitfalls and mistakes.
If you are receiving this email, you may be eligible for the Low Bono Legal Services Program. In order to apply, complete the Pro Bono/Low Bono Legal Services Survey and upload the required Pro Bono / Low Bono Authorization Agreement. Once an eligibility review is complete, LACBA will contact the individual to schedule an appointment.*
*Due to demand and availability, the City of Los Angeles reserves the right to evaluate and revise the Low Bono Legal Services Program at any time in the future based on information gathered in its evaluation.
For more information on other DCR resources available to verified SEIAs, please visit our Social Equity Program page here.
If you have questions about the Low Bono Legal Services Program or the Social Equity program, please send an email to DCR.SEP@lacity.org.
Disclaimer:
DCR is responsible for administering the commercial cannabis licensing and regulatory program established by the Los Angeles City Council. Specifically, DCR processes all applications for commercial cannabis licenses in the City of Los Angeles, makes licensing decisions or licensing recommendations to the Cannabis Regulation Commission, and regulates the operations of licensed commercial cannabis businesses in the City. The attorney services provided under the Pro Bono and Low Bono Programs are not provided by and are independent from DCR, do not provide greater access to DCR, and do not establish an attorney-client relationship with DCR and its attorneys. All liability with respect to the actions taken or not taken based on legal advice obtained from Pro Bono and Low Bono Programs is expressly disclaimed.
Please join the Los Angeles cannabis community, the Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR), and the Social Equity Program (SEP) at the inaugural Cannabis & Capital entrepreneurs and investors networking event and forum at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
EMPLOYER TOOLKIT: A single source for what YOU need to know.
- Resources for Hiring Employees
- Compliance Responsibilities
- Reporting
- Determining Employee vs.Contractor
- Payroll Taxes
- Responding to Unemployment Claims
- Covid-19 Safety in the Workplace
- CA Regulatory Agency Information
Access the Employer Toolkit on DCR’s Licensed Employer’s Resources Google Drive! User Guide: Employer Hiring Toolkit
Tools are arranged according to the “employee life cycle,” which follows the entire process of finding, hiring, and eventually offboarding an employee.
- Video: Recruitment and Hiring
- Video: Onboarding, Training, Retention, and Offboarding
- Video: General Overview Skills and Experience to Hire For by License Type
Templates & Checklists: Employee Lifecycle: Employer Requirements in California
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National News
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Cannabis Had a Rough Year, but There Are Bright Spots in 2023