City of Los Angeles Announces Opening of Application Window for a Select Few Businesses
With the new year upon us, California’s new cannabis regulations roll into effect. As you may be aware, in order to receive a commercial cannabis license from the State, your business is required to have local authorization to conduct commercial cannabis activity from the local jurisdiction in which it operates. Therefore, we are pleased to announce that the City of Los Angeles will open the application window for Phase 1 of the city’s licensing process on January 3, 2018.
Phase 1 of Los Angeles’ licensing process is open for 60 days and is only available to existing retailers who have been operating in compliance with Proposition D. These retailers, also known as Existing Medical Marijuana Dispensaries (EMMDs), represent a very narrow group of businesses currently operating in the City of Los Angeles. All other commercial cannabis businesses either currently operating or planning on operating in the City of Los Angeles will be required to apply in Phase 2 or Phase 3 of the application process.
Phase 2 of the application process for the City of Los Angeles is open to non-retail businesses who have been operating in the city prior to January 1, 2016, and meet 12 other specific requirements set forth by the city’s cannabis ordinance. The city’s Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) has yet to set a date for the opening of Phase 2 of the application process, so stay tuned for an announcement on this in the coming weeks.
Lastly, Phase 3 of the application process is for social equity and general applicants who do not meet the requirements for licensure within Phase 1 or Phase 2. The DCR has yet to announce the opening of this application window, and it is anticipated that the city is months away from beginning the licensure process for these businesses.
If you have questions about the licensing process for the City of Los Angeles or would like to determine your business’ eligibility for the various phases of licensing in the City of Los Angeles, please contact McAllister Garfield, P.C. for a consultation.
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