Posts by High Standard
Federal Disaster Relief Programs for Cannabis Businesses
Federal Disaster Relief Programs for Cannabis Businesses

Cannabis businesses may have access to federal disaster relief programs. State-legal cannabis business cannot be denied, solely because they deal in the cannabis industry. First the COVID-19, now the wildfires burning up the state of California. The Small Business Disaster Relief Equity Act would allow these businesses to qualify for relief in relation to any federal disaster declaration issued at the beginning of January 2020.

 For Cannabis Business Licensing help, call at . We help cannabis business owners navigate the complex world of State and Local Cannabis Regulations while helping to develop and grow your business in the right direction. CAP can assist with projects large or small. Whether you’re looking for full-service state and local cannabis licensing or other services such as Cannabis Pro Forma, Cannabis Business Plan, Cannabis Business SOP, and Cannabis Investor Presentation development, we have you covered.

Pasadena Rejects MedMen Retailer
Pasadena Rejects MedMen Retailer

Within 1 year of winning a highly competitive Pasadena Cannabis Retail License, MedMen is rejected for a conditional use permit. The Los Angeles based company planned to open its doors in Pasadena, California, but because of instability in management and ownership, their application is no longer valid. In a letter by Pasadena, officials concluded that Gotham Green Partners’ in MedMen, give the New York firm control and management direction. This was against Pasadena’s rules and policies.

For Cannabis Business Licensing help, call at . We help cannabis business owners navigate the complex world of State and Local Cannabis Regulations while helping to develop and grow your business in the right direction. CAP can assist with projects large or small. Whether you’re looking for full-service state and local cannabis licensing or other services such as Cannabis Pro Forma, Cannabis Business Plan, Cannabis Business SOP, and Cannabis Investor Presentation development, we have you covered.

Fresno Looking to Issue Cannabis Licenses After Green Light
Fresno Looking to Issue Cannabis Licenses After Green Light

After a long wait, Fresno has now gotten the go-ahead to distribute a total of 14 cannabis retail licenses. During the first quarter of 2021, the Fresno City Manager’s office is expected to lend of the first initial licenses. The competition will be extremely high, with local and out-of-city companies looking to score a license. Once the application fee is approved by the council, the application will be made available.

 On Oct. 20th at 1 pm, the city will be offering an online orientation via Zoom to walk applicants through the permit application process. The deadline for all cannabis applications is December 4th.  The application will also have a Social Equity component, in an attempt to help minorities and people of color to enter the cannabis industry. The city has announced that 2 licenses will be set aside for companies with Social Equity Applicants and applications will be due by late January 2021.

 For Cannabis Business Licensing help, call at We help cannabis business owners navigate the complex world of State and Local Cannabis Regulations while helping to develop and grow your business in the right direction. CAP can assist with projects large or small. Whether you’re looking for full-service state and local cannabis licensing or other services such as Cannabis Pro Forma, Cannabis Business Plan, Cannabis Business SOP, and Cannabis Investor Presentation development, we have you covered.

New Cannabis Licensing Search Platform
New Cannabis Licensing Search Platform

The BCC, CDFA, and CDPH have announced a new platform for searching cannabis licenses. These three cannabis licensing authorities have come together with the California Department of Technology, the California Health and Human Services Agency Office of Innovation and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. The public can use this new tool to find cannabis license information all in one mainlined location. Over the last year, many said the search process needs to be streamlined to avoid hours and hours of digging for information from each cannabis authority.

 Features of the new platform include an interactive map and geolocation tools. The database is updated every 24 hours. This amazing new tool can be found at https://search.cannabis.ca.gov/.

 For Cannabis Business Licensing help, call at . We help cannabis business owners navigate the complex world of State and Local Cannabis Regulations while helping to develop and grow your business in the right direction. CAP can assist with projects large or small. Whether you’re looking for full-service state and local cannabis licensing or other services such as Cannabis Pro Forma, Cannabis Business Plan, Cannabis Business SOP, and Cannabis Investor Presentation development, we have you covered.

Gov. Newsom Signs Assembly Bill 1872
Gov. Newsom Signs Assembly Bill 1872

California Governor Gavin Newsom signs Assembly Bill 1872 in which state taxes are paid in that of a holding pattern. With cannabis businesses are already facing higher and higher taxes. This bill will help the industry have more predictability when it comes to the California State Cannabis Tax.

For Cannabis Business Licensing help, call at We help cannabis business owners navigate the complex world of State and Local Cannabis Regulations while helping to develop and grow your business in the right direction. CAP can assist with projects large or small. Whether you’re looking for full-service state and local cannabis licensing or other services such as Cannabis Pro Forma, Cannabis Business Plan, Cannabis Business SOP, and Cannabis Investor Presentation development, we have you covered.

IRS Lends Helping Hand to Cannabis Businesses
IRS Lends Helping Hand to Cannabis Businesses

The IRS has lent out a helping hand to cannabis operators. Cannabis operators around the United States have to follow guidelines (guidance) from the IRS. After September 12th, state-legal cannabis businesses do not qualify for most common business deductions and credits according to Internal Revenue Code Section 280E. These businesses can now reduce gross receipts under Section 471. Many cannabis business owners ave struggled with Section 280E because it puts strict limits on business deductions. This results in them paying a much higher tax rate.

For Cannabis Business Licensing help, call at We help cannabis business owners navigate the complex world of State and Local Cannabis Regulations while helping to develop and grow your business in the right direction. CAP can assist with projects large or small. Whether you’re looking for full-service state and local cannabis licensing or other services such as Cannabis Pro Forma, Cannabis Business Plan, Cannabis Business SOP, and Cannabis Investor Presentation development, we have you covered.

Your Pathway to a California Cannabis License
Your Pathway to a California Cannabis License

Since cannabis became a thing in the US, thanks to its medicinal benefits, California legalized it on two fronts. All of which is evident considering, it became legal for its therapeutic uses in 1996 and recreational in 2016, making California the first state in the US to legalize medical cannabis under the auspices of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Proposition 215).

The Breakthrough of Cannabis in California

November 2016 signaled a step in the right direction, as Californian voters made their voices heard through their votes. Because of that, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64) became law, and the recreational use of cannabis was born. Engineered by the recreational legalization of cannabis following the local governments (city and county), adults can freely grow, consume, or transport marijuana for personal use.

Unlike those seeking the plant for consumption, persons willing to sell, grow, distribute, or manufacture cannabis commercially must get their businesses registered, comply with regulations, as well as apply for permits.

California Cannabis Market

Three years today (2017) signaled a step in the right direction for cannabis use in the state of Califonia. California’s regulatory regime declared that all purchases of cannabis in the state must be conducted with a cannabis card (for medicinal users). Although this law has since been applicable, it hasn’t affected the sales of cannabis for recreational uses, making the demand for cannabis continually hitting record heights.

Cannabis Licensing in California

January 1st, 2018, signaled a step in the right direction for Cannapreneurs. The Cannabis licenses initiative finally saw the light of day and are available to those involved in trading cannabis commercially. Like the cannabis licenses, this same year (2018) saw the inception of two new cannabis tax laws. They include the cultivation tax on all harvested cannabis, making an entry into the market, and a 15% excise tax levied on the purchase of cannabis and cannabis products.

With that said, it should be worthy to note that the state’s three licensing authorities have issued over 10,000 commercial cannabis licenses this year (2020) alone. Notably to cannabis businesses throughout the state of California.

Getting a Cannabis License in California

Are you seeking to get a retail Cannabis License in California? Enclosed below is a guide to help ease your way around the whole process.

1.    Get a Work Plan

The first step to acquiring a cannabis retail license in California is all about putting together a master plan for the entire project. Luckily, most Cannapreneurs or prospective cannabis retailers have all the factors of production, so they should be good to go. However, those starting up with little or nothing but for an idea, there is hope as well.

2.    Create a Site And Facilities Plan

Setting up a facility plan is the core of your project. Cannabis stores reside in designated zones since the local government controls the number of retailers for each zone. With that in mind, you must consider the potential for future growth before purchasing land. Remember, you may begin the business as a retailer with plans of expanding in manufacturing or distribution in the future.

3.    Design a Business Plan

In getting a dispensary license in California, creating a detailed and winning business plan is critical. Remember, regulators will hardly approve of a business plan that will not succeed. So prepare for yourself a list representing your business and how you intern on taking the company to the next level. 

4.    Get Approval From Supporting State Agency(s)

Before getting approval from the local and state governments, get some from both the DTFA, which stands for the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, in collaboration with the SOS (Secretary of State). Based on the nature of land development involved, you will likely need approval from CalFire, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), or better still, the Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). However, before getting any of the approvals mentioned above, you’d need to form a legal entity through the California Secretary of State. What this means is you need to identify which business entity you would like to venture into

  • Limited Liability Corporation (LLC)

  • For-Profit Corporation (S-Corp, C-Corp)

  • Mutual Benefit Nonprofit Corporation (MBNPC)

5.    Get Local Approvals

Considering 58 counties sandwiched with 482 incorporated cities and 540 different local governments to match, all come with various hurdles to cross. Applying for a “discretionary” conditional land use permit (CUP) from the Planning Department is the first step towards local approval. Once taken care of alongside the additional certifications and environmental assessments, then you are steps away from acquiring the cannabis retail license in California.

6.    Acquire State Cannabis Licenses

By this stage, you must obtain everything required to gain state approval. However, you’d be obliged to submit certain documents. They include Security Plan, Seller’s Permit, Local Approvals, Surety Bond ($5,000), Business Entity Formation, Neighborhood Context Map, Live Scan Background Check, Property or Lease Agreement, Premises (Site/Facilities) Plan, Business and Operations Plan as well as the Labor Peace Agreement (>20 employees)

Final Note

Getting a retail cannabis license in California isn’t just a walk in the park. All cannabis licenses come with an agreement to track inventory to stay up-to-date, and report submittals to state officials. However, and with a little guidance from the tips above, then you should be good to go and, of course, get your cannabis retail license with some ease.

For Cannabis Business Licensing help, call at We help cannabis business owners navigate the complex world of State and Local Cannabis Regulations while helping to develop and grow your business in the right direction. CAP can assist with projects large or small. Whether you’re looking for full-service state and local cannabis licensing or other services such as Cannabis Pro Forma, Cannabis Business Plan, Cannabis Business SOP, and Cannabis Investor Presentation development, we have you covered.

 

Redwood City, California Allowing Up to Six Cannabis Business
Redwood City, California Allowing Up to Six Cannabis Business

Redwood City planning commissioners have agreed that the city council may allow up to six cannabis businesses to open and operate. This will allow these cannabis dispensaries to open anywhere in the city zoned in the commercial and industrial areas. These businesses must be at least 600 feet away from schools and residential areas. Your chances of opening downtown are low, after some backlash from neighborhood groups. The Redwood City city council is set to discuss the Planning Commission’s recommendation during a public meeting Oct. 12.

For Cannabis Business Licensing help, call at We help cannabis business owners navigate the complex world of State and Local Cannabis Regulations while helping to develop and grow your business in the right direction. CAP can assist with projects large or small. Whether you’re looking for full-service state and local cannabis licensing or other services such as Cannabis Pro Forma, Cannabis Business Plan, Cannabis Business SOP, and Cannabis Investor Presentation development, we have you covered.