All licensees must adhere to the renewal requirements set forth within California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 4, section 15020. Locally verified equity retailers with valid provisional licenses may be eligible for provisional license renewal until DCC issues or denies the annual license, or until 5 years from when the provisional license was initially issued.
Eligible provisional licensees must meet specific criteria to renew their provisional license to ensure progress is being made toward annual licensure. For more information, review Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 26050.5
Renewal Requirements
Progress toward compliance with CEQA must be shown through one of the following ways:
- The Lead Agency has prepared and circulated for public review a negative declaration or mitigated negative declaration.
- The Lead Agency has determined that an EIR is required and has either:
- Made substantial progress in preparing an EIR, or
- Has a contract in place for EIR preparation.
- The Lead Agency certifies that it has conducted a reasonably comprehensive site-specific review and deemed complete an initial study, addendum, or checklist.
- The Lead Agency has reviewed, prepared, and deemed complete a notice of exemption.
Applicable documentation
- Any environmental documentation, including, but not limited to, an exemption, initial study, negative declaration, mitigated negative declaration, and/or environmental impact report.
- Any staff reports and related documents prepared by the local jurisdiction.
- Any written transcript or minutes of the proceedings of the local jurisdiction.
- Any notice(s) issued by the local jurisdiction to comply with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines.
- Any proposed decisions or findings considered by the local jurisdiction by its staff or the applicant.
- Any documentation of the local jurisdiction’s final decision.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How can I tell if I have an annual license or a provisional license?
A: To determine if you have an annual or provisional license, find the “license stage” by searching for your license on Cannabis Unified License Search.
Q: How can I transition my provisional license to an annual license?
A: Provisional licensees must comply with all annual license requirements for the applicable license type to transition from a provisional license to an annual license. To resolve any outstanding annual license requirements, the designated responsible party must reference all deficiency notice(s) and submit any requested documentation to DCC.
If you already submitted all final documentation and have questions regarding the status, email info@cannabis.ca.gov.
Q: What if I fail to transition to an annual license and can no longer renew my provisional license?
A: Failure to transition to annual licensure before your provisional license expires may result in:
- The suspension, cancellation, revocation, or natural expiration of your provisional license and
- The denial of your annual license application
If you cannot or choose not to transition to an annual license, you may request to withdraw the application at any time before DCC denies the application.
If DCC denies your annual license application, you may request an appeal hearing within 30 calendar days of the date stated on the denial notice.
If your license is no longer valid, you must cease all commercial cannabis activity immediately including the sale, receipt, or transfer of cannabis or cannabis products.
Q: How will I know if DCC is considering suspension or revocation of my provisional license?
A: DCC will issue a notice of provisional license review. The notice will describe:
- The nature and facts of each violation
- How to correct the violation(s) to achieve compliance and
- The action DCC is considering, such as suspension or revocation of the provisional license, or denial of the annual application
The notice will also provide instructions for requesting an informal meeting with DCC to discuss the matter.
Q: What should I do if DCC terminates my provisional license because I can’t or choose not to transition to an annual before my eligibility to renew my provisional license expires?
A: If DCC terminates your provisional license for any reason, you must sell or destroy all cannabis and cannabis products on the premises before the license becomes inactive.
If DCC terminates your license and cannabis or cannabis products remain on the premises, a licensed distributor or microbusiness authorized for distribution may obtain approval from DCC to buy and distribute your inventory.
Distributors and microbusinesses authorized to engage in distribution may request approval to purchase cannabis or cannabis products from a terminated license by submitting a written request for authorization to DCC using the form DCC-LIC-028. The request must be submitted within 14 calendar days of license termination.
For more information, review CCR section 15024.1 .
Q: Who can I contact if I have questions?
A: The DRP for the license can email info@cannabis.ca.gov from their registered email address for more information. Please include the license number in the inquiry.
