Posted on 06/30/2023

THANK YOU LOS ANGELES

Check out “LA This Week's” coverage of LA Cannabis Unite!

A special thank you and shout-out to all that attended the June 17, LA Cannabis Unite Summer networking mixer at the historic Mayfair Hotel DTLA, hosted by the Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation. The event brought together industry pioneers, passionate licensees, hopeful applicants, and more for a unique celebration.

Among the diverse guests of the Los Angeles cannabis community was honorary godmother, cannabis pioneer, entrepreneur, and septuagenarian Carrie Broadus, 74, a verified Social Equity operator of Pot Luck Enterprises. Broadus continues to operate her business daily and is a symbol of passion and perseverance and a true example of following your dreams.

A record turnout, more than 560 attendees established new connections, expanded their network and explored business opportunities. Cannabis advocate and legislator State Senator Steven Bradford delivered welcome remarks and mingled with industry leaders, licensed Social Equity retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, operators, and DCR staff.

“LA Cannabis Unite continues with our commitment to build goodwill, provide resources, and information to the public and the Social Equity community,” said Dr. Imani Brown, Director of DCR’s Social Equity Program. “This is the largest industry networking event of the summer and it’s designed to bring local cannabis entrepreneurs, suppliers and business leaders face-to-face and fast-track relationships that ultimately lead to business partnerships and success.

Event highlights included three floors of resources, cannabis exhibitors, access to the DCR job board and DCR licensing analysts, free one-on-one business coaching, free professional headshots, and more. An added bonus was the beautiful Downtown Los Angeles city skyline and sunset on the rooftop pool lounge with free hors d’oeuvres, high-powered networking and music from DJ Space Jam. Together, we continue to build a stronger and more inclusive cannabis community.

BCC Success: 87 Live Webinars, 700+ Hours of Coaching; $13 Million in Direct Aid; 150+ Hours in LMS; 63 Pro-Bono - Low Bono

Thank you to over 5,000 attendees that have supported DCR's webinars and events for the BLC.

Try the FREE Learning Management System (LMS)

As part of the BLC Assistance Program, this online Learning Management System (LMS) provides you with over 150 hours of educational content on key topics to assist with standing up your business and staying in compliance.

Whether you're on the road, at work, or in the comfort of your own home, you can access the LMS Portal ANYTIME for a wealth of online courses, recorded webinars, scheduled events & digital assets to help you learn at your own pace.

f you are accessing this LMS system for the first time, please log in using the email address that is 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

Help is Here - Speak with an expert to help your business grow

DCR offers free coaching to help Social Equity entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Schedule a 15-Minute live assessment meeting to determine the next steps, and find the best coach for your particular needs.

Wishing you a blessed and wonderful 4th of July.

Important Deadlines

City and State UPCOMING LICENSING DEADLINES June 30, 2023: Last day for the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) to issue provisional licenses to local equity applicants. July 1, 2023: DCC Provisional renewals become subject to additional requirements. DCR Applications abandoned after June 30, 2023, must be refiled as an Annual Application unless the Applicant has an active corresponding State provisional license. Last day for general applicants to file for new Temporary Approval (TA) application

Click and search DCRs updated Job Board to fast track your career in the Los Angeles cannabis industry. Our team will regularly update the job board with current job opportunities. Job seekers, click here to see important information about interviewing skills.

Employers can now easily upload jobs and reach job seekers. Click here for easy step-by-step instructions.

A victim of the War on Drugs who suffered incarceration and personal trauma, Jason McKnight, Owner/Operator of Green Label RX, now runs 22,000 square feet of cultivation and 10,000 square feet of manufacturing as well as distribution. He personifies a success story rooted in cannabusiness, organization and education.

Pro Bono - Low Bono Legal Services Now Available

The Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulations (DCR) Social Equity Program offers free Pro Bono and low-cost Low Bono Legal Services in partnership with the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA).

Verified Social Equity Individual Applicants (SEIA) can receive up to 10 hours of free Pro Bono legal advice. In addition, the Low Bono program offers SEIAs up to 30 hours of legal advice at a discounted rate of $35 per hour.

To apply please 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.*

Local News

LA Cannabis Unite Summer networking mixer at the historic Mayfair Hotel DTLA

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Cannabis Equity Tax Credit
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California Awards $4 Million in Grant Funding to Local Jurisdictions to License Cannabis Retailers
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National News

The State Of The Market For Cannabis

Cannabis Must Be Removed from the Controlled Substances Act to Resolve State/Federal Conflicts
The United States of Weed
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Marijuana SAFE Banking bill could be heard in US Senate within ‘weeks’
Congress is reconsidering the SAFE Banking Act to allow banks to work with the cannabis industry
Chuck Schumer “Confident” SAFE Banking Legislation Will Pass In The 118th Congress
Pass the SAFE Banking Act for Safer Communities

Secure & Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2023

The new 2023 version of the SAFE Banking Act continues to inch forward moving through the legislative process. Of vital importance, if signed into law, the bill allows federally regulated banks nationwide to provide financial services to cannabis-related businesses (CRBs) in states that have passed the legalization of marijuana in some form.

Introduced in the U.S. Senate in April 2023, previous versions of the bill have had bipartisan support, however, this is the first time both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are discussing the bill simultaneously.

Contact your California U.S. Representative and Senators to advocate and voice your support for passage of the SAFE Banking Act.

Contact Us

Thank you for reading our monthly CannaDispatch newsletter, designed to provide timely and useful information about DCR-SEP news, services 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.