June 2025
June is Men's Mental Health Month. It is a time to raise awareness, break down the stigma around men's mental health and support those in need to get help when needed. There has been much discussion around cannabis use particularly as it relates to managing stress. Be informed and consult with a healthcare provider to explore treatment options. The American Medical Association (AMA) created a cannabis task force that develops and shares scientific evidence related to cannabis products and their uses with healthcare providers and the public. While the AMA expresses the need for more research, they also acknowledge the potential benefits of medical cannabis and CBD. The AMA has developed resources and guidance for physicians on counseling patients regarding cannabis use, including the potential risks and benefits. They created a podcast series, Continuing Medical Education (CME) to help physicians stay informed.
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the freedom of more than 250,000 enslaved African Americans over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Recognized as the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the U.S. Juneteenth commemorates both delayed justice and enduring resilience. Officially designated as a federal holiday in 2021, it has become a powerful symbol of Black history, culture, and achievement. The Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) honors this legacy by continuing to empower the Social Equity community through education, financial support, legal assistance, and entrepreneurial resources. As we reflect on the past, we reaffirm our commitment to building a future rooted in opportunity and justice for everyone.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FROM THE SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRAM IN 2025?
Upcoming June Webinars
Date / Time | Host | Event Title |
Thursday June 3 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Dr. Imani Brown | BLC Resources for SEIAs |
Thursday June 12 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Zachary Knox | Access to Capital and Investor Agreements |
Tuesday June 17 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Lauren Vazquez, Esq | California Compliance Challenges |
Thursday June 26 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Jesse Parenti | Cannabis Insurance |
For more information on upcoming webinars, click here.
Whether you're hiring or on the hunt for your next opportunity, the Social Equity Program’s updated platform is now live and ready to connect top talent with the roles made for them. 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 & LOW-COST LEGAL SERVICES
You are eligible to apply for 10 hours of free legal assistance and 30 hours of legal assistance for $35 per hour.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LMS COURSES
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.
Toni Forge worked as a litigator, managing attorney, state mediator and associate general counsel over 25 years. In 2016, she co-founded 4LeafConsulting, a California cannabis licensing and compliance consulting firm dedicated to offering clients a practical approach to establishing their Canna Businesses. Fueled by her passion for social equity in the cannabis space, Toni consults and shapes policy for social equity cannabis organizations in Oakland, Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York and Philadelphia. Toni recently co-authored The Social Equity Advocacy Handbook outlining best practices and procedures for those municipalities and groups advocating for cannabis social equity. She currently serves as technical advisor for both the cities of Los Angeles and Hawthorne.
Complete and submit the Coaching Indemnification Form. Then, click here to schedule your next coaching session!
Watch past webinars below
Building Brands: Product, Price & Story (5/20/2025)
Local Consumption Lounge Discussion (05/13/2025)
Planning for the Future of Cannabis Commerce (5/06/2025)
AB-1775: California Cannabis Events & Lounges Law (4/29/2025)
STAY TUNED FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS ON UPCOMING WEBINARS
Annual Licensing
To date, 318 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.
lease 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
- Beverly Hills man sentenced for stealing over $ 18 million through cannabis scams
- Cannabis Consumers Respond Better To 'Realistic' Anti-Impaired Driving Message That Avoid Stoner Stereotypes
- Tips on taking a cannabis brand global
- The road ahead for cannabis lending in 2025
- California State Fair Will Again Feature On-Site Cannabis Sales And Consumption, With New Award Categories For Blunts, Hash And Chocolates
- The Cannabis Component CBD Reduces Epileptic Seizures At Twice The Rate Of Placebo, New Scientific Review Shows
- As cannabis consumer tastes evolve, industry must look beyond potency
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
