Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Wishing Cal Cannabis all the best

Outreach to those interested in cannabis licensing will continue at the Department of Cannabis Control.

BY CDFA Secretary Karen Ross

With July 1 and the new fiscal year comes the consolidation of the state’s cannabis programs into the Department of Cannabis Control — part of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.  That means the CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division of CDFA will be moving to the new Department.  It has been an honor to work with the talented, dedicated CalCannabis professionals who have worked so hard to stand-up a brand new program to support a newly legalized industry these past five years.  I want to recognize their achievements which – by the numbers – are impressive!

— 7,632 currently active cultivation licenses

— Completed 485 fee deferrals of license renewal fees due to impacts from the pandemic and wildfires

— Responded to more than 75,000 public inquiries via telephone

— Provided training on the state licensing process and procedures to more than 140 local jurisdictions that allow commercial cannabis cultivation

— Collaborated with more than 70 local jurisdictions to craft locale-specific CEQA pathways for annual licensure

In addition, the program has created a virtual library of reference material for applicants, licensees, and local jurisdictions covering topics such as how create a premises diagram and CEQA documentation.

Governor Newsom announced plans to consolidate the three state licensing entities into a single Department in January 2020 in an effort to improve access to licensing and simplify regulatory oversight of commercial cannabis activity.  Establishment of a stand-alone department with an enforcement arm will centralize and align critical areas to build a successful legal cannabis market, by creating a single point of contact for cannabis licensees and local governments.  The CalCannabis appellations program and the OCal organic program will remain part of CDFA.

Thank you to CalCannabis Division Director Richard Parrot and the entire CalCannabis team for your innovative, enthusiastic “can-do” spirit to help California cannabis growers through the regulatory maze of legalization. I am so proud of what you have accomplished and wish you continued success in your new home at the Department of Cannabis Control. 

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