California Cannabis Agencies Extend License Fee Deferrals Through August

California’s three state cannabis licensing authorities — the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC), and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — have extended the cannabis license-fee deferral process that was scheduled to end on June 30, 2020, to Aug. 31, 2020.

Cannabis businesses with state commercial cannabis licenses that expire now through Aug. 31, 2020, may request a 60-day deferral of their license fee payment. The original 60-day license fee deferrals were for licenses expiring between May 14 and June 30.

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’s status as a Schedule I controlled substance.

The state cannabis licensing authorities are accepting requests for licensing fee deferrals now. Those who have a cannabis license that expires now through Aug. 31, 2020, are eligible to apply. With an approved deferral, the license fee will be due 60 days from the date of the license’s expiration. Refunds will not be given for fees that have already been paid.

How Licensed Cannabis Cultivators May Request Regulatory Relief

Licensees must submit a written request for regulatory relief to be considered for a license fee deferral. Please follow these steps to make a request:

1. Submit a completed cannabis cultivation 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.”

2. Send the 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.

For more information, visit https://calcannabis.cdfa.ca.gov.