Greetings!

This edition of the DCR News Bulletin is an important read. It contains a wrap up of the many legislative actions in the works, and a critical deadline reminder for the Public Health Permit. 

With so much happening, I want to remind folks that DCR has Office Hours appointments for those with general questions about DCR processes, resources, and deadlines. While these appointments cannot answer specific questions about the status of an application or specific license issues, it can help those who want to get more information on best practices for stakeholders when navigating DCR services or requirements. You can read more information about Office Hours here and make an appointment here.

Finally, as it is Women’s History Month, I am taking a moment here to recognize the impact of women in the cannabis industry. Retail store owners, those that have created cannabis brands, growers, bud tenders, etc.; women are integral to the success of the industry. Moreover, the role of women as consumers is growing – in numbers and increasing purchasing power. A survey showed that women aged 30 and under are now consuming more than men of the same age, forcing the creation of marketing strategies and products geared for their preferences. Read DCR’s blog with more information on this subject.

Again, please reach out to DCR at cannabis@lacity.org if you have questions.

Best,

Michelle Garakian

Executive Director

Department of Cannabis Regulation

Below you will find recent legislative updates and also pending items before our City Council: 

Recent legislative updates offer significant relief for Existing Medical Marijuana Dispensaries (EMMD's) and Social Equity Individuals pursuing cannabis licenses. 

A new Ordinance, effective January 26, 2026, relaxes certain zoning restrictions. This change allows EMMD's to continue operating in their current locations until 2030. 

Additionally, DCR has implemented two key extensions which took effect on March 9, 2026:

• The applicant refiling period has been increased to five years.
• The exclusive window for retail licenses for Social Equity Individuals has been extended to December 31, 2031.

In other legislative news:

At the end of January, Councilmember Padilla introduced a motion requiring prospective licensees to obtain letters of support from their local Neighborhood Council, City Council Office, LAPD, and a community based organization. This would affect new retail licenses and retail businesses looking to relocate. The proposal aims to better integrate local support within the communities that potential retailers would serve. It will be scheduled in Committee next.

On March 3, the City Council approved recommendations authored by the Budget & Finance Committee to implement a new Business Tax Amnesty Program through the Office of Finance. The program aims to help business owners resolve outstanding tax balances to good standing with the City. The program would allow businesses to enter into payment plans of up to 36 months (three years). Businesses that pay the full principal amount would have penalties and interest waived. The Office of Finance must draft a final program proposal next.

Lastly, on March 3, Council introduced a Motion for DCR to report back on the process for opening cultivation and delivery licenses to the public. It also requests the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance outlining how those licenses would be issued. It will be scheduled in Committee next. 

Are you on track to meet the deadlines? Do you know what the deadlines are? Here’s what you need to know about what to do now, and how to prepare. There are essential dates and essential background you need to know. 

All Licensees must obtain an Operating Permit from the Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) on or before January 1, 2031. However, receiving an Operating Permit requires meeting additional important milestones each year at DCR renewal periods that begin in September each year. 

Each year during the renewal cycle, the Licensee must meet required milestones and submit documented evidence to DCR’s Licensing Portal that they have met the the milestone for that renewal year as stated in Regulation No. 5 (A)(8)) of the  Rules and Regulations for Cannabis Procedures. These timelines are designed for record holders to make necessary year to year progress to receive an Operating Permit by the 2031 deadline. There are no plans to adjust this timeline. The Public Health Permit requirement will be due at the 2027 Renewal period this coming September 2026.

LADBS also offers assistance through the Restaurant & Small Business Express Program by assigning a case manager to help owners navigate the City’s various permit processes. Often, cannabis businesses seek consultant services to manage the leg work for some or all permit requirements. 

This upcoming renewal period, beginning on September 1, 2026, will require all licensees to submit an in-progress Clearance Summary Worksheet from DBS and a current Public Health Department permit.

It’s important to act now. For more information on this process, reach out to dcrcompliance@lacity.org. 

Listen to a robust discussion with guest Michelle Garakian, DCR’s Executive Director, about the federal Executive Order that would reschedule cannabis to a drug category for less risky drugs; trends in cannabis sales and marketing; and important updates and deadlines for local licensed cannabis businesses.“On the Record” is hosted by DCR’s own Jen Marroquin, Public Information Director, and Ryan Solis, Senior Management Analyst II, who oversees licensing efforts. Future podcasts will address questions submitted from stakeholders. You can submit yours here and watch the On the Record here.

If you need a round up of what’s going on legislatively and in the cannabis world, you can read DCR’s Blog page here.

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