Hello,
This month, as DCR continues its day-to-day operations, the Department is focused on two items: 1) handling requests from individuals seeking verification as Social Equity Individual Applicants (SEIA); and 2) continuing the review of licensed cannabis businesses and their compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Social Equity has always been a core pillar at DCR. In 2019, DCR created opportunities for individuals impacted by the War on Drugs through the Social Equity Program (SEP) and the SEIA designation. SEP allows individuals impacted by past cannabis arrests/convictions and other factors to receive training on the ins and outs of the legal cannabis business. Today, more than 1,900 people are part of the Social Equity Program and beginning in mid-March others will have the chance to join as well. From noon, Monday, March 17, 2025, to 4:00 PM, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, people can submit requests to become SEIAs and receive the benefits of the SEP programs and resources and the chance to apply for cannabis business licenses set aside for SEIAs. You can read more about this in this bulletin.
DCR has also been steadily checking all cannabis business licenses to ensure they are compliant with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements. Last month, DCR hosted a webinar on CEQA requirements. DCR began CEQA review with retail storefront licensees in 2024, and is now working through all other cannabis business types. The Department is prioritizing CEQA reviews by state license expiration dates. Watch the webinar for more information.
I am also happy to release DCR’s 2024 Annual Report, which takes a look at the Department’s activities throughout the year.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge March as Women’s History Month and specifically honor the women working at DCR and those who have made an impact on the cannabis industry as a whole.
Best,
Jason Killeen, Acting Executive Director
Department of Cannabis Regulation
Qualifying individuals interested in working in or starting a legal cannabis business may get help doing so as part of the Department of Cannabis Regulation’s (DCR) Social Equity Program (SEP). The SEP focuses on the inclusion and support of individuals who may have been negatively or disproportionately impacted by prior cannabis criminalization.
At noon, Monday, March 17, 2025, DCR will open its Social Equity Individual Applicant (SEIA) Verification window where individuals can request review to become an SEIA, a designation that makes available training and other resources on building a cannabis business and access to apply for certain cannabis business licenses. The verification window ends at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
The requirements to qualify as a Social Equity Individual Applicant are set forth in Los Angeles Municipal Code section 104.20, and include that applicants must be “low Income” and have a prior “Cannabis Arrest or Conviction.” The definitions for low income and information on what is considered a qualifying cannabis arrest or conviction can be found here.
Cannabis business licenses for retail, delivery, and cultivation are exclusively available to verified SEIAs until Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Verified SEIAs will also be able to participate in an upcoming retail application lottery in 2025. In addition, SEIAs can utilize exclusive online business courses, access free and no-cost legal services, and take part in exclusive networking events.
Individuals that have already been verified as SEIAs in 2019 and/or 2022 are not required to be re-verified in 2025 to participate in the 2025 Phase 3 Retail Round 3 license application lottery. Three separate lotteries will be conducted: one for 2019 SEIAs, one for 2022 SEIAs, and one for 2025 SEIAs. An individual verified in multiple SEIA windows can register for only one lottery and must choose in which year’s pool to participate.
The fee to request SEIA verification is $597.
DCR conducted two webinars to walk individuals through the verification process. To watch the January 30, 2025, SEIA Verification Webinar #1, that highlighted the criteria and the documentation needed for verification, click here. To watch the February 25, 2025, SEIA Verification Webinar #2, that highlighted the steps to submit the verification request, click here.
Catch up with DCR in the 2024 Annual Report and see the statistics on cannabis business licensing, DCR’s complaint portal, and the Social Equity Program, among other news.
DCR’s Social Equity Program offers many resources to Social Equity Individual Applicants who are looking to start or enhance a cannabis business. One resource is the free One-on-One Business Coaching service. In the video below, hear more about the service from 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.
| Join DCR’s monthly Q&A Virtual Lunch session at noon, March 26, 2025, with Acting Executive Director Jason Killeen to get answers to your questions. |