March 2026
Women Shaping Cannabis Equity
Women’s History Month began in 1978 in Sonoma County to ensure women’s contributions would not be overlooked. That mission resonates globally today, especially in cannabis, where women, particularly women of color are shaping the Social Equity landscape as operators, advocates, and community leaders in an industry still marked by criminalization.
Legalization has opened doors, but equity reminds us that not everyone enters equally. Women continue to face barriers with access to capital, heavy regulations, and the stigma associated with the cannabis industry writ large. Women continue to build businesses, nurture families and create jobs in our communities. Their work is more than entrepreneurship, it is repair and inspiration.
Just as Women’s History Week grew into a full month, cannabis equity must grow beyond recognition into a lasting structure. Ownership and sustained investment are what equity requires. Honoring women’s history means supporting the women shaping the entire cannabis eco system now and in the future.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FROM THE SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRAM IN 2026?
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 2026 Webinar Series has begun! For the latest one on Tax Compliance click below.
FREE LEGAL SERVICES
You are eligible to apply for 10 hours of free legal assistance and 30 hours of legal assistance for $35 per hour.
The Job Board is back!
Whether you're hiring or on the hunt for your next opportunity, our updated platform is now live and ready to connect top talent with the roles they’re made for. Fresh listings, easier navigation, and new features to help you land the perfect fit—check it out now!
No-Cost Expert Guidance for Social Equity Applicants
Navigate the cannabis industry with confidence! Our team of social equity subject matter experts are available to provide complimentary assistance and answer your business-related questions. We encourage all Social Equity applicants to take advantage of this valuable resource.
Complete and submit the Coaching Indemnification Form. Then, click here to schedule your next coaching session!
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.
March Upcoming Webinars
Date/Time | Host | Event Title |
March 24, 2026 | Jeff Jones | Cultivar Selection for Manufacturers and Retail |
March 31, 2026 | Luke Zimmerman & Dale Hunt | IP Protections Post-Schedule III |
Annual Licensing
To date, 347 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.
New Office Hours
DCR has introduced Office Hours so that stakeholders can meet one-on-one with staff from the licensing, compliance, or social equity teams. This service replaces DCR’s Public Counter Hours with expanded access to DCR staff.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR DCR UPDATES
IN THE NEWS
The major problem hindering cannabis retail: budtender turnover
2026 adult-use cannabis legalization prospects dim as Hawaii, Pennsylvania efforts fade
How Jamie Pearson transformed from cannabis skeptic to international CEO
The science behind curing and packaging cannabis for a global market
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
Copyright (C) 2024
Department of Cannabis Regulation.
All rights reserved.
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