May 2026
More Than Roses: Giving the Gift of Calm This Mother’s Day
Celebrating Mother’s Day goes beyond flowers and brunch, it’s about supporting the mental, physical, and emotional weight many mothers carry every day. As May also marks Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s a reminder that caring for others starts with caring for oneself. The reality of modern motherhood often includes constant demands, limited rest, and ongoing, unseen stress.
As wellness conversations evolve, cannabis and cannabinoid-based therapies are being explored as alternative tools for managing stress, sleep, and chronic pain. Conditions like endometriosis, along with menopause, anxiety, and mood disorders, can significantly impact quality of life. By interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, cannabinoids may help regulate mood, rest, and discomfort.
This year, honoring moms can also mean encouraging safe, informed options that support their well-being. Consider a personalized wellness toolkit designed with care for your canna-curious or experienced canna-mom, because a little care, like a little cannabis, can go a long way.
SEP is excited to introduce our "Day in the Life" series this month. This feature offers an inside look at the daily activities of a thriving cannabis business. Check out the teaser trailer below!
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 Business Risks & Protections click below.
FREE & LOW-COST LEGAL SERVICES
You are eligible to apply for 10 hours of free legal assistance and 30 hours of legal assistance for $35 per hour.
Visit our Job Board!
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.
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. Record holders must make progress to receive an Operating Permit by the 2031 deadline.
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.
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.
Need Some Assistance? Make an Office Hours Appointment
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
Glass House Brands among cannabis cultivators losing permits over odor complaints
Justice Department reschedules cannabis, cannabis is medicine again
Instead of competing on price, cannabis retailers win with community
California Lawmakers Vote To Allow Drive-Thrus At Cannabis Dispensaries
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. 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
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Department of Cannabis Regulation.
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