California marijuana regulators have moved to simplify the process for businesses seeking a medical designation on their state license, a change that comes as the federal government begins implementing the rescheduling of medical cannabis.
The California Department of Cannabis Control announced that cultivation licensees no longer need to wait until renewal to request a change to their adult-use or medicinal-use license designation. The department also said it will no longer require a new local authorization for certain requests involving medicinal-use designations.
The change comes after the U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration announced the rescheduling of medicinal cannabis last week. State-licensed medicinal marijuana businesses can now begin registering through the DEA’s Medicinal Marijuana Dispensary Registration Portal as the federal government begins implementing the policy shift.
The DCC said it has requested a meeting with the DEA team handling the federal implementation plan. However, according to the department, the DEA has indicated that it will release information publicly and all at once, rather than through state-specific briefings.
For now, California regulators say they will continue monitoring federal updates as they are released while working to support regulatory alignment and simplify state processes where possible.
Under the newly streamlined process, DCC will no longer require a new local authorization for requests that change a license to medicinal-use only or add a medicinal-use designation to an existing adult-use license.
All licensees may request a designation change at any time by submitting Form 27, Notifications and Requests to Modify a License. The request must be submitted by the designated responsible party using the email address listed in the license record.
Regulators emphasized that licensees must continue operating under their current license designation until DCC approves the request.
The department also said system updates are coming that will allow cultivation licensees to see both adult-use and medicinal-use designations on their license record and certificate.
DCC said the update should not be viewed as guidance on whether or how licensees should participate in the federal medical cannabis program, and said businesses should consult legal counsel if they need advice.
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