The following comes from a press release and emails from BCC, CDFA and CDPH:
SACRAMENTO, CA – The three state cannabis licensing authorities announced today that businesses with state commercial cannabis licenses expiring between now and the end of June 30, 2020 may request 60-day deferrals of their license fee payments. This adds financial assistance to the relief provided to licensees from specific regulatory requirements.
The license fee deferrals are intended to provide immediate financial assistance to state cannabis licensees impacted by COVID-19. Though deemed an “essential business” under Executive Order N-33-20, the cannabis industry is excluded from federal or banking-dependent assistance for small businesses, due to cannabis’ status as a Schedule I controlled substance.
We will begin accepting requests for fee relief immediately. Licensee fee deferrals may be requested by any licensee expiring between now through June 30, 2020. With a deferral, the license fee will be due 60 days from the date of the license expiration. Refunds will not be given for fees that have already been paid.
How to Request Regulatory Relief from BCC:
Licensees must submit a written request for regulatory relief to be considered for a license fee deferral. Here’s how to submit your request:
- Submit a complete renewal application to the Bureau.
- Complete the Bureau Notification and Request Form (Form 27), Section A, and note the details of your specific request in the comments section.
- Email your completed Bureau Notification and Request Form to BCC@dca.ca.gov. This request must be submitted by an owner of the business, who is currently listed on the license record.
How to Request Regulatory Relief from CDFA:
Licensees must submit a written request for regulatory relief to be considered for a license fee deferral. Please follow these steps to make your request:
- Submit a completed cannabis license renewal application to the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division. When prompted to make a payment, select “Cash Payment.”
- Send your request for relief via email to calcannabis@cdfa.ca.gov. Include the license number in the email and state that your renewal application has already been submitted. This request must be submitted by an owner of the business who is currently listed on the license record.
Other Requests for Regulatory Relief
A licensee who is unable to comply with a licensing requirement due to the pandemic may submit a disaster relief request to their respective licensing authority. The disaster relief provisions for each licensing authority can be found in the regulations as follows:
- BCC: California Code of Regulations, title 16, section 5038
- CDFA: California Code of Regulations, title 3, section 8207
- CDPH: California Code of Regulations, title 17, section 40182
The Bureau of Cannabis Control is the lead agency in regulating commercial cannabis licenses for medical and adult-use cannabis in California. The Bureau is responsible for licensing retailers, distributors, testing laboratories, microbusinesses, and temporary cannabis events. For more information about our agency, please visit the Bureau’s website. To learn more about California’s three cannabis licensing authorities and the other state agencies contributing to cannabis regulatory efforts, please visit California’s Cannabis Portal.
Those looking to get in touch with the Bureau of Cannabis Control may contact us directly through email at bcc@dca.ca.gov.
