World Mental Health Day: Breaking Stigmas, Building Awareness
World Mental Health Day, observed globally on October 10, promotes education, awareness, and advocacy against the stigma surrounding mental health. First celebrated in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health, it now unites over 150 countries in this important cause.
The Day reminds us that mental well-being is as vital as physical health and calls on us to take collective action for greater access to care and support. By opening conversations, showing empathy, and fostering supportive communities, we can work toward a future where the stigma of mental health is eradicated and health and wellness are a reality for everyone.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FROM THE SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRAM IN 2025?
Reminder: 2026 DCR Renewal & Fee Waiver Deadline Is Less Than One Month Away
The Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) reminds individuals that the 2026 license and application record renewal period opened on September 2, 2025 and ends on November 1, 2025. Please note that all 2025 Application Records and Licenses will expire after 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
For additional information on the DCR Renewal process and how to pay, click here. To renew now, click here.
For the 2026 Renewal Period, DCR will utilize grant funding to provide fee waivers to Social Equity Businesses to cover the standard 2026 License and Application renewal fees. Please note that, to be eligible for the waiver, Social Equity Businesses must still complete and submit a renewal application during the regular 2026 License renewal period (no later than November 1, 2025) to demonstrate your intent to keep your record/license active. Licenses and Application Records will not be renewed automatically.
Also during this renewal period, DCR will allow various modifications such as updates to fictitious business names/DBA and business premises diagrams to be submitted without incurring extra charges. The renewal period is also an opportunity to review and update other contact types, such as Neighborhood Liaison, Consultant, Law Firm, and Authorized Agent. However, relocation, 100% ownership changes, and entity substitution modifications will not be permitted until the renewal process is completed. A webinar that reviews the types of record modifications allowed during the renewal period can be viewed here.
DCR also hosted several webinars about the 2026 renewal period. The first more general webinar on August 20, 2025, can be viewed here, and a second more in depth review of how to renew on August 27, 2025, can be viewed here.
Please note: As part of the 2026 renewal cycle, applicants/licensees are required to pay all other applicable outstanding fees (non-renewal related). These non-renewal fees are not available to be paid through the online system.
Please email DCRLicensing@lacity.org with any questions.
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! For the latest one on Tax Compliance click below.
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.
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.
Watch past webinars below.
State Licensing Update (9/25/2025)
Inventory Management 8/28/2025
Cannabis Safety Standards Part 2 (8/26/2025)
Access to Capital & Investor Agreements Part 2
8/14/2025
Upcoming October Webinars
Date/Time | Host | Event Title |
10/06/2025 12:00 PM | Courtney Lang | Acquiring Compliant Real Estate |
10/09/2025 12:00 PM | Robert Clayborn | State Equity Program Update |
Meet a few of them below.
Complete and submit the Coaching Indemnification Form. Then, click here to schedule your next coaching session!
Annual Licensing
To date 330 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
Why Cheech & Chong Cannabis retailers enjoy a new data advantage
Veterans Group Pushes California Governor To Sign Bill Expediting Cannabis And Psychedelics Research
CBD Helps People Achieve 'Dramatic Reductions In Anxiety After Just One Week Of Use, New Study Shows
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.
221 N. FIGUEROA ST.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Department of Cannabis Regulation.
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