June 2024
On June 19, 1865, more than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, more than 2 years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. As much as Juneteenth represents freedom, it also represents how emancipation was strategically delayed for enslaved people in Texas. DCR remains committed to providing the community with the tools, education, seed money, and resources to build a better future through entrepreneurship and workforce development. Let us continue to amplify Black voices, support Black-owned businesses, and continue the journey towards a more inclusive society.
Coaching is back! DCR offers over 1,500 hours of free business, professional, and workforce development coaching with subject-matter experts from a wide range of expertise. Fill out and submit the Coaching Indemnification Form in order to schedule your next Coaching session!
Annual Licensing Update
To date, 62 retailers have received approval for Annual Licenses 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.
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 complete and 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.
DCC EQUITY FEE WAIVER FUNDING NOTICE
Attention!
Funding for equity fee waivers offered to qualified businesses through the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) has been exhausted. However, equity businesses may still qualify for six-month fee deferrals.
Equity licensees are still encouraged to apply for a fee waiver through the Department of Cannabis Control and the Department will continue to review submissions even after funds are exhausted, as fee waiver qualifications are a requirement for other programs offered through other agencies.
SOCIAL EQUITY DEADLINE EXTENSION
Mayor Karen Bass signed into law a deadline extension for 100 Social Equity Applicants selected in the Phase 3 Retail Round 2 Retail Cannabis License Lottery, allowing them three additional years, until December 31, 2026, to enter the licensing application process. The original deadline expired on December 8, 2023. The new ordinance also allows DCR to continue accepting Temporary Approval applications from retail social equity applicants through January 1, 2031.
The move by the City Council came after the passage of the State’s SB 51, which allows the State of California’s Department of Cannabis Control to extend its provisional license program by allowing cannabis equity retail applicants or licensees to obtain or renew state provisional licenses after the prior deadline of June 30, 2023.
SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRAM WEBSITE UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE
The Social Equity Program website (dcrsep.org) dedicated to the Business, License, and Compliance Programs and DCR Job Board is undergoing maintenance. For information on the SEP, please click here for the DCR website.
Pro Bono - Low Bono Legal Services Now Available
All Social Equity Individual Applicants who have passed the Pre-Application stage are now eligible to apply for Pro Bono - Low Bono Legal Services offered by the DCR Social Equity Program in partnership with the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA).
Access to affordable legal services continues to be a major barrier for the Social Equity community. It is critical that Social Equity Individual Applicants and Licensees seek and obtain legal counsel early to avoid predatory practices, pitfalls, and mistakes. Applicants can apply to receive up to 40 hours of legal services: 10 hours of free pro bono assistance and 30 hours of low bono assistance for $35 per hour.
Try the FREE Learning Management System (LMS)
As part of the BLC Assistance Program, this online Learning Management System (LMS) provides you with over 160 hours of self-paced educational content on key topics to assist with standing up your business and staying in compliance.
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
Get the latest cannabis news from around the country.
News
A New Report Finds That Adult-Use Cannabis Taxes Have Surpassed $20 Billion In The United States
Congressional Researchers Update Lawmakers On “Legal Consequences” Of Federal Cannabis Prohibition In Light Of Rescheduling Effort
The Library Of Cannabis: This Nursery Is Working To Preserve Cannabis Strains In A Genetic Preservation Library
New York Court Issues Record $15 Million Fine To Unlicensed Cannabis Operator
Americans Want Cannabis Legalization To Prioritize Equity And Benefit Works, Poll Finds
Is A.I. Making Cannabis Cultivation Smarter?
California Assembly Passes Bill To Allow Amsterdam-Style Cannabis Cafes
What Could Cannabis Rescheduling Mean For Cultivators And Implementing ‘Greener’ Practices
- Free Pro Bono - Low Bono ($35/hour) Legal Services
- Learning Management System (LMS)
- Support Social Equity Program (SEP) stores - Find a retailer HERE
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.