March is dedicated to recognizing the remarkable achievements and contributions of women from all backgrounds throughout U.S. history. Join us in celebrating Cat Packer, M.A., J.D., the first person of color in the nation to lead a medical and adult-use cannabis regulatory program. From 2017 to 2022, she served as the first Executive Director of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation. Cat continues to work relentlessly to reform cannabis policy, advocating for change at every step.
The world owes a debt of gratitude to the powerful women past, present, and future that remain pioneers at the forefront of activism to ensure a more just and equitable industry.
Watch Cat Packer engage in debate about the legalization of cannabis here.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FROM THE SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRAM IN 2025?
MARCH 2025
FREE COACHING
DCR offers over 1,500 hours of free business, professional, and workforce development coaching with subject-matter experts from a wide range of expertise. First fill out and submit the Coaching Indemnification Form. THEN CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT COACHING SESSION.
LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS)
DCR has added all the webinars from our Summer Webinar Series.
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
SO YOU CAN START LEARNING 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.
Meet Jake Kuczeruk, an entrepreneur and Social Equity Program Coach, who specializes in Business Planning. With his extensive background and experience, Jake has assisted Equity Applicants and Licensees with becoming more well-versed in financial literacy and business needs.
Social Equity Individual Applicant Verification
DCR SEIA Verification Process will open on Monday, Mar 17, 2025, to 4:00 PM, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. SEIA Verification is a process where an individual may request to be verified as a Social Equity Individual Applicant based on the criteria set forth in Los Angeles Municipal Code section 104.20 to participate in the Social Equity Program.
For more information about the 2025 SEIA Phase 3 Retail Round 3 Verification, check out these webinars:
SEIA Verification Webinar #1 January 30, 2025
SEIA Verification Webinar #2, February 25, 2025
STAY TUNED FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS ON UPCOMING WEBINARS
Annual Licensing
To date, 301 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.
IN THE NEWS
- Tilray Brands Enhances Global Cannabis Supply Chain
- 2 US Senators Work With Prohibitionists to Stop 280E Relief Under Cannabis Rescheduling
- The Artist Tree launches Program Giving Free Cannabis To Patients, Veterans
- Opioid Prescriptions Drop In States That Legalize Cannabis, Federally Funded Study Shows, Suggesting Some Pain Patients Prefer Cannabis
- Cannabis-Infused Chocolate Edibles Are Experiencing a Seasonal Sales Spike
- Largest Study Ever Done on Cannabis and Brain Function Finds Impact on Working Memory
- Two-Thirds Of NHL Players Are Choosing Cannabis And Video Games Over Alcohol and Partying
The Cannabis Industry Struggles With Debanking. What Is The Solution?
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
