Don’t Wait: Apply Today For Your West Hollywood Cannabis Business License!

Just announced: West Hollywood, California is now accepting screening applications for cannabis business licenses through May 31, 2018. West Hollywood has provided a lot of detailed information on how to obtain a license, and here’s what you need to know about the process.


West Hollywood Cannabis Ordinance

Back in November of 2017, West Hollywood enacted a Cannabis Ordinance that would allow cannabis businesses to be licensed. According to the West Hollywood Cannabis Business License Screening Application Packet, the following numbers of licenses are to be issued:

• 8 Adult Use Retail Licenses
• 8 Delivery Service Business Licenses (the physical location must be in West Hollywood).
• 8 Consumption Area business licenses with on-site adult use retail sales (sales of products to be consumed on-site). This includes smoking, vaping and ingestion.
• 8 Consumption Area business licenses with on-site adult use retail sales (sales of products to be consumed on-site). Edible ingestion only.
• 8 Medical-Use Dispensary Business Licenses

 
West Hollywood Cannabis Application Process


West Hollywood will select its applicants based on specific application weighting criteria. By providing the grading criteria up front, the city is challenging applicants to tailor their application to the city’s exact needs. Be sure to take advantage of this knowledge!


The first step to getting to the actual application, however, is submitting a screening application (screening applications will be accepted May 2 – May 31).  The screening application must include the following:

• A completed Application/Owner Information Form
• Proof of Payment of the Screening Application Fee. The fees are as follows:
  • Adult-Use Retail - $9,880
  • Cannabis Consumption Area (both types) - $9,880
  • Medical-Use Dispensaries - $9,880
  • Cannabis Delivery Services with a Physical Location in West Hollywood - $5,025
  • The proof of payment must be a cashier’s receipt. Further details provided on page 4 of this document.
• Cover Letter: this should not exceed 5 pages. The cover letter should include the type of licenses you are applying for.  In addition, provide a brief overview of your application and business plan.
• Business Plan: the business plan should include the design concept, security plan and any experience that showcases both industry and business skillsets.

West Hollywood has also provided a comprehensive application overview as well as an application checklist. If you have additional questions, the city has also provided answers to commonly asked questions.


West Hollywood has done a great job providing all the necessary information needed in order to submit a successful screening application.  If you would like additional assistance in submitting a successful application, please don’t hesitate to contact California Cannabis CPA.​