May 2025
Join us as we take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women of the military. Their unwavering dedication, courage, and sacrifice ensure the freedoms we enjoy every day. We are proud to recognize and appreciate their service—not just today, but always.
We’re grateful to our Social Equity operators for supporting our veterans through Senate Bill 34: Cannabis donations compassion programs. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), studies have found that cannabis can be helpful in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and neuropathic pain, a specific type of chronic pain caused by damaged nerves. By providing free and low-cost products, Equity operators help ensure those who have served receive the care they deserve. Reach out to your local shop today to learn more about available deals and special offers.
Keep reading for information about upcoming webinars and the 2025 Retail Application Lottery.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FROM THE SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRAM IN 2025?
Upcoming May Webinars
| Date / Time | Host | Event Title |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday May 06 12 PM - 1 PM | Luke Zimmerman, Esq. | Planning for the Future of Cannabis Commerce |
| Tuesday May 13 12 PM - 1 PM | Courtney Lang & Jason Killeen | Local Consumption Lounge Discussion |
| Tuesday May 20 12 PM - 1 PM | Manndie Tingler | Building Brands: Product, Price & Story |
| Thursday May 22 12 PM - 1 PM | Khurshid Khoja | Rescheduling and Its Effects on Your Business and Processes |
For more information on upcoming webinars, click here.
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!
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! Log in to the LMS Online Portal to find expert instruction on the topic you need.
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 LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS) LETS YOU ACCESS POPULAR TRAINING TOPICS FOR FREE
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.
Maha Haq, an industry expert, and Social Equity Program Coach, has over a decade of experience in the legal cannabis industry; her career began in Los Angeles, spanning dispensaries, deliveries, cultivation, and testing labs. She serves on the boards of the Los Angeles chapters of NORML and Cannabis Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Maha is an instructor at Oaksterdam University.
In 2018, Maha founded Cannaclub at UCLA, a collegiate cannabis organization that grew to over 50 universities nationwide, engaging more than 8,000 students. Maha holds an M.S. in Medical Cannabis Science & Therapeutics from the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy. In her free time, Maha streams “Dabby Hour” on Twitch, where she reviews cannabis products and discusses industry trends.
Complete and submit the Coaching Indemnification Form. Then, click here to schedule your next coaching session!
Watch past webinars below
April 29, 2025:
AB-1775: California Cannabis Events & Lounges Law
April 24, 2025:
April 10, 2025:
March 18, 2025:
Mastering Cannabis Tax Compliance
STAY TUNED FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS ON UPCOMING WEBINARS
Webinar: Permits and New Requirements for License Renewal
Please mark your calendars and join “Permits & New Requirements for License Renewal,” a webinar at noon, May 28, 2025. This webinar will cover specific sections of the Department of Cannabis Regulation’s Regulations and Procedures, including Regulation 5(A)(8) and (9) that deal with the Public Health Permit, Certificate of Occupancy and Operating Permit. New required forms will be presented jkand explained based on recently updated rules.
To RSVP and pre-submit questions, click here. To join the webinar, click here.
2025 Retail Application Lottery
In early December 2025, DCR will host the 2025 Phase 3 Retail Round 3 Retail Application Lottery for Social Equity Individual Applicants (SEIAs). Prior to the 2025 Retail Application lottery, DCR will hold a registration period for those eligible to submit their intent to participate in the lottery. Those that qualify may register to participate from Tuesday, September 9, 2025 to Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Find more information here.
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.
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.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR DCR UPDATES
IN THE NEWS
How can cannabis consumption lounges turn a profit?
Rescheduling or descheduling cannabis: How would industry be impacted?
Why cities in regulated cannabis markets still don't host an official 'weed week'
Cannabis industry supply chain already feeling effects of Trump's tariffs- Part 1
How American cannabis businesses are responding to Trump's tariffs- Part 2
The great cannabis cultivation debate: hand- or machine-trim?
As cannabis consumer tastes evolve, industry must look beyond potency
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.