Message from the Acting Executive Director
Greetings!
As all Departments in the City of Los Angeles, DCR is continuing to review and discuss Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed budget with elected officials. DCR understands the difficult decisions that must be made and hopes for clarity and insight to all those involved in engineering solutions for a better City of Los Angeles.
In June, DCR will have an update on the Social Equity Individual Verification window that closed recently. A total of 43 individuals submitted and paid for the verification request seeking designation as a Social Equity Individual Applicant. Individuals that requested verification will be notified in early June of the results.
In other news, the DCR’s Compliance Division will host a webinar called Permits & Requirements for License Renewal at noon, May 28, 2025, that will provide important information to licensees about the upcoming renewal season. Read more below.
Finally, I wish every mom and mother figure a peaceful and fulfilling Mother’s Day.
Sincerely,
Jason Killeen
Acting Executive Director
Department of Cannabis Regulation
Please mark your calendars and join “Permits & Requirements for License Renewal,” a webinar at noon, May 28, 2025. This webinar will specifically cover the milestones and deadlines in Regulations 5(A)(8) and (9) regarding the Public Health Permit, Certificate of Occupancy and Operating Permits, all of which are required to operate a cannabis business in the City of LA. DCR will introduce a new referral form for the LADBS plan check process and a new attestation which will be required at renewal.
To RSVP and pre-submit questions, click here. To join the webinar, click here.
PREPARE Act Prepares for Federal Cannabis Legalization
While the future of federal cannabis rescheduling hangs in the balance, a bipartisan bill that inches towards developing a plan to legalize cannabis at the federal level was introduced by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Titled the Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult-Use Regulated Environment (PREPARE) Act, the bill aims to create a fair and transparent process to establish effective cannabis regulations at the federal level. If passed, the bill would require the Office of the U.S. Attorney General to establish a Commission on the Federal Regulation of Cannabis.
Once created, the Commission would be tasked with analyzing the federal and state regulatory frameworks used for alcoholic beverages and using those findings to develop recommendations for legalizing cannabis. The report’s recommendations would also include information on banking solutions and the challenges to cannabis research.
The federal prohibition on cannabis continues to create obstacles for state-licensed cannabis operators attempting to access banking support and funding sources. The classification of cannabis as Schedule I also makes it difficult for researchers to study the drug, as Schedule I substances are classified as having no accepted medical use at the federal level. Though the bill is in the early stages of the legislative process, it signals that lawmakers are taking steps toward cannabis rescheduling and legalization. Watch this space for future updates.
Next DCR Q&A Virtual Lunch is at noon, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. RSVP, submit questions and join here.
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