Greetings!
As we approach the end of the year, DCR is managing several important processes on behalf of licensees and applicants. First, the regular 2025 License Renewal process continues - see important deadline extensions below. Two, the work to transition Temporary Approvals into the Annual License process is still working through retail storefront applications. Additionally, the Department’s Compliance and Enforcement Division (CED) continues to conduct inspections as part of the Annual License process and to ensure that licensed business activities are conducted in a manner that conforms to regulations and protects public health and safety. The CED is also hosting various webinars to inform applicants and licensees about important protocols and procedures around the process.
With the above in mind, I have an important update for 2025 License Renewals. DCR is extending its license and application records renewal payment deadline to Monday, December 2, 2024. DCR will begin assessing expedited services (late) fees after December 31, 2024. To find out more about License Renewals in general, please see this presentation on how to renew. All 2024 records expire after 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. More information about how to pay your renewal is available in this News Bulletin.
Last month, the Social Equity Program hosted a valuable training event called “Pitch Perfect.” The event focused on one of the main challenges for cannabis business entrepreneurs, securing capital to start or grow their business. Read on to learn more.
Finally, I want to wish all Angelenos a happy Thanksgiving and National Native American Heritage Month. And, also, congratulations to the Los Angeles Dodgers!
Sincerely,
Michelle Garakian
Executive Director
Department of Cannabis Regulation
The Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) renewal cycle for 2025 opened on Monday, September 2, 2024, and the deadline for record renewal payments has been extended to Monday, December 2, 2024. All License and Application Records must be renewed, including Temporary Approvals and Application records with a status of Local Compliance Underway. Your 2024 records will expire after 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2024. All persons who have allowed their Temporary Approval(s) to expire and who continue to engage in Commercial Cannabis Activity are subject to an enforcement action and/or criminal penalties for unlicensed Commercial Cannabis Activity. You can find out more about what is needed to renew a license here.
There are two options to pay license renewal fees. See below.
Ways to Pay:*
- Office of Finance (In-Person Appointments or Mail)
- Payment Options: Cash, Check, Money Order, Credit Card
- May pay the full invoice OR the full amount of a single line item.
- In Person
- Request an appointment via email at finance.csd.appt@lacity.org.
- You must request a payment appointment with the Office of Finance by November 22, 2024. Payments will be considered timely if you confirm an appointment with the Office of Finance by December 2, 2024 even if the appointment occurs after December 2, 2024. (LAMC section 104.03(e).)
- Mail
- Payment must be postmarked on or before Monday, December 2, 2024.
- Payment Options: Cash, Check, Money Order, Credit Card
- LADBS Development Services Centers (In-Person)
- Payment Options: Check
- DCR encourages payments via check as not all DSC’s accept cash payments. Only the Metro (Downtown) location accepts cash.
- May pay the full invoice OR the full amount of a single line item
- Receipt(s) must be provided to DCR through one of the methods below for payment to be reflected on your record.
- Physically at DCR’s drop box (221 N. Figueroa St, Suite 1245)
- Electronically to DCR.Payments@lacity.org.
- Additional Information
- Payment Options: Check
* DCR encourages applicants and licensees to check DCR’s social media and/or website for updates on how to pay for cannabis license and renewal fees
How a company presents itself can make a huge difference in whether or not an investor decides to fund your business. And sometimes all you get is one shot. That was the topic of the Social Equity Program’s “Pitch Perfect” training summit on October 10, 2024. Here cannabis business investor and business executive Jake Kuczerek offered advice and provided guidance on the business pitch proposals provided by audience members.
“I am here to teach you fundraising,” said Kuczerek. “But at the end of the day, the keys to success are in your own pocket. Going out there, hustling is how you can earn these checks, is how you can survive in this business, or any business.”
The presentation was followed by a question and answer period and then a panel discussion with cannabis industry business owners on best practices in identifying trustworthy investors and that would focus on the business mission. The panel featured David Pauwels, CEO of Pauwels Cannabis Cosmetics, and Amir Gresham, cannabis entrepreneur and advocate, who both recounted their own personal experiences founding new cannabis companies and advice on how to pick investors that hold the same values and passion for your company as you do.
To find out about upcoming events hosted by DCR, check the DCR Events page on its website.
Building a business is hard work, but imagine a team that is working for you! That’s the idea behind the free programs offered by DCR’s Social Equity Program.
“We need to meet cannabis business owners where they are,” said Imani Brown, director of the Department’s Social Equity Program. “Whether it's a new or an established entrepreneur looking for ways to grow, the programs and services offered through the Social Equity Program are meant to be tailored for each individual.”
Two of the most popular resources are the One-on-One Business Coaching and the Pro Bono-Low Bono Legal Services programs.
One-on-One Coaching allows a Social Equity Individual to team up with an expert in the field to get advice on various aspects of the cannabis business. Coaching is available for:
- Accounting
- Business Planning
- DCR Processes
- Licensing and Compliance
- Manufacturing
- Marketing and Branding
- Operations
- Security
- Workforce Development
The way it works is that a Social Equity Individual signs up for an appointment on a specific topic and DCR teams that individual up with a subject matter expert - one-on one. There is no cost to the individual.
The Pro Bono Low Bono Legal Services Program operates via a partnership with the LA County Bar Association. This referral service is available to ALL Social Equity Individual Applicants who have passed the Pre-Application stage and may be eligible to receive up to 40 hours of legal services -- 10 hours of free Pro Bono and 30 hours of Low Bono for only $35 per hour. If you want legal advice on contracts, partnership agreements, lease agreements among other topics, find out more here. There is not a better deal in town.
“Getting out of a bad contract is much worse than getting legal advice on the front end and avoiding a bad deal to begin with,” said Dr. Brown.
You can find out more about Social Equity Program programs and services, like One-on-One Business Coaching here.
On October 23, 2024, DCR submitted a set of recommended ordinance amendments to Article 4 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. The amendments pertain to the Los Angeles County’s Emblem Placard program, Social Equity licenses and applicant criteria. The recommendations also include: definition changes and clarifications; edits reasons for denial of a license; alters the Annual License process; and identifies what remedies DCR can pursue to collect unpaid penalties. You may read DCR’s report in detail here.
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