April 1, 2020: Los Angeles, CA
The City of Los Angeles has completed its audit of Phase 3 Round 1 Storefront Retail Licensing. The city employed a third party to conduct the audit following concerns and accusations the Accela portal was accessed by some before the application period officially opened at 10am on September 3rd in 2019, giving them an unfair advantage in the “first come, first served” process.
Los Angeles, CA
March 23, 2020: Los Angeles
March 23, 2020: David E. Carpenter (Forbes Online)
So much for the worn-out idea that cannabis consumers are an idle lot. As millions of Californians wade into the second week of mass-lockdowns and unprecedented business closures, marijuana entrepreneurs are gearing up this week for an online pitch event that could see their businesses flourish.
March 19, 2020: Los Angeles, CA
Coronavirus talk has engulfed our society. Most of us are holed up at home, with our daily patterns of life completely changed (for who knows how long). With everything now different, what happens to our contracts and agreements we entered into before anyone had even heard of the Coronavirus? If they are causing us financial distress or are no longer providing us any benefit, is there a way out, or are we stuck with them? What are the options for a business struggling in these strange times?
March 19, 2020: Los Angeles, CA
Due to the Coronavirus, cities across America have placed restrictions on their citizens and their ability to freely associate. Many are under forced quarantines. In Orange County, CA, all public and private gatherings outside a single household are now banned – including work. San Francisco is under indefinite “lockdown” (joining Italy, France, Spain, and Belgium) – although cannabis dispensaries have been deemed “essential” and allowed to stay open. Most schools have closed indefinitely. Courts have shut down most of their operations. Widespread looting has been reported, and there are long lines at gun stores. Police departments are intentionally making fewer arrests. Regular household products like toilet and milk are sold out at many stores.
March 5, 2020: Los Angeles, CA
On March 5, 2020, the City of Los Angeles Cannabis Regulation Commission held a special meeting at City Hall to provide an update on the City’s commercial cannabis licensing, and an opportunity for public comment and discussion of cannabis licensing issues among members of the Commission. The Cannabis Regulation Commission makes recommendations to the City Council about proposed changes to the City’s cannabis laws and regulations.
Don't Miss Our FREE LIVE WEBINAR: March 14, 2020 | 11AM - 12PM
Have a criminal record? Interested in learning how you can get your criminal record erased or sealed?
Join Margolin & Lawrence Attorneys at Law for an in depth procedural analysis of how to get your criminal conviction expunged in California. M&L will be broadcasting a free Live Webinar on March 14, 2020 from 11am - 12pm. Find more information on our website. You can also enter your information to receive updates and reminders!
Los Angeles, CA:
by DCR Staff on February 26, 2020
To All Phase 2 Applicants without Temporary Approval:
Section 104.08(f) of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) authorizes the Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) to grant Applicants an extension to pass the pre-licensing inspection required by LAMC 104.08(a) due to extenuating
Santa Monica, CA:
The cannabis industry is complex to navigate, even if the plant is often viewed as a gateway to a simpler state of mind. To help food and drink entrepreneurs grow within it, experts presented data and insights last month at
Santa Monica, CA:
Featuring: Allison Margolin, a founding partner of law firm Margolin & Lawrence, who brings years of understanding of the legal environment for cannabis businesses in California to attendees structure companies strong enough to withstand the shifting regulatory winds surrounding the growing industry.
Corona, CA:
By DAVID DOWNEY | ddowney@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Riverside County’s third-largest city may open the door to marijuana enterprises, while capping dispensaries at 17.
While that may seem an odd, arbitrary figure, it is based on round-number math: one marijuana storefront for every 10,000 residents in Corona, whose population is approaching 170,000.
Los Angeles, CA:
As California tries to get its struggling licensed cannabis industry up and running, people have asked us questions about the role of labor unions in the process. Many business owners have allied with a labor union from the beginning, recognizing the substantial benefits that union ties can bring to a licensed and heavily regulated business. Other business owners, however
CBS Los Angeles:
In a sweeping move, Los Angeles Country District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced that her office has asked the court to
Los Angeles, California:
Phase 3 Cannabis retail licensing for the City of Los Angeles is on hold until the completion of an audit for licenses issued during Round 1 in September 2019. Verified Tier 1 and Tier 2 Social Equity Applicants still have the opportunity to obtain a storefront cannabis retail license through the Public Convenience or Necessity (PCN) process. The PCN process is open and separate to Phase 3 licensing intended for applicants located in areas that have hit their “undue concentration” limit. Having
Currently, cannabis market growth is not as strong as many investors had hoped for. It has been reported that since March, cannabis stocks have lost two thirds of their value. While economic growth is never guaranteed for any business, remedies available to floundering cannabis businesses are more limited than those offered to non-cannabis businesses.
The Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) has just confirmed that it is now processing requests for ownership changes to existing Phase 2 (non-retail) cannabis licenses in Los Angeles. This long-awaited news is a game-changer for savvy investors and license holders alike, as it opens opportunities to buy or sell shares of the 139 cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution businesses that are licensed under Phase 2 in Los Angeles.
As we enter the new year, the cannabis industry is struggling to transition from a previously-unregulated network of collectives in constant fear of criminal prosecution to a highly taxed and regulated system involving numerous state and local agencies. The rollout of the licensing system has been plagued with problems, with most of the state being extremely slow to issue commercial cannabis licenses, and many business owners losing substantial sums of money attempting to comply with burdensome regulations and taxes. Recent events in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara have brought to light common frustrations with the new licensing system, and have taught lessons that can be applied to future public policies to improve the outlook for cannabis businesses, consumers, and the state. In both Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, many operators have become disillusioned by the local licensing process and how difficult it is to obtain and keep licenses to operate their businesses. Policy makers should look at what is happening in these places, and take steps to fix the problems that have developed which are driving people toward illicit markets and away from the regulated market.
