Get A Head Start On Part 1 Of San Francisco’s Cannabis Business Permit Application Process5/17/2018
San Francisco recently announced that it will soon be accepting cannabis business permit applications – however, they have not yet announced when the application date will officially open. The city has provided some preliminary application information to get you started, and we recommend you suggest preparing your application now. If you’re not sure where to start, follow this article by reading our guide to the first three steps you should take to start your cannabis business.
San Francisco Cannabis Licensing: Part 1 San Francisco will soon be releasing part 1 of their cannabis business permit application process. On May 7, the City opened office hours to allow for walk-ins and appointments should you have questions. You may schedule a meeting by emailing officeofcannabis@sfgov.org. The office hours are Monday through Friday, 1pm to 5pm, in room 018 located in San Francisco’s City Hall. Who can apply for a San Francisco cannabis permit? During Part 1 of the Cannabis Business Application process, San Francisco has very strict criteria. You may only apply to this round of applications for a cannabis business permit if:
This list was taken directly from San Francisco’s website from their list of accepted criteria. What is San Francisco’s equity program? San Francisco recognizes that the nationwide and state drug policy has traditionally negatively impacted certain communities, causing additional inequality and a heightened level of hardship. Therefore, San Francisco has proposed an equity program that will allow certain neighborhoods, citizens and communities to have access to a cannabis business permit first. Normally, applicants would have to pay a permit fee. However, San Francisco is waiving the $5,000 fee for equity applicants. There are also programs that allow for discounted rent and assistance in running a cannabis business. How to Apply for a San Francisco Cannabis Permit While San Francisco has not issued an application start date quite yet, the city has written a list of the items required so you can get a head start. The city will require items such as background checks for all owners and proof of a secured location zoned for your business. The city will issue the following permits:
It is not yet clear how many of each permit San Francisco will issue. Once the application is available, the Cannabis Office will email the verified applicants with further instructions. When the application is released, prepare to submit a few additional things:
If you have additional questions related to enforcement or the equity program, visit room 362 at City Hall between 9am to 1pm, or call (415) 554-4420. San Francisco’s application process is sure to be competitive. If you’d like to get a head start today, contact California Cannabis CPA to ask how we can help. |