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CCIA COVID-19 Resources

Cannabis Deemed Essential in California

CCIA joined over 70 industry partners and businesses, including Caliva and Legal Cannabis for Consumer Safety, in authoring a letter to Governor Newsom detailing proactive steps the cannabis industry is taking to protect consumers and mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, the letter urged Governor Newsom to exclude cannabis retailers from any potential executive actions requiring business suspensions, highlighting the essential services cannabis retailers provide to the community, particularly medicinal consumers.

The State Public Health Officer released the “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers”. This list follows the release of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order directing all California residents to stay home, except as needed to maintain essential critical infrastructure.  The list serves as guidance for local governments in implementing the Governor’s stay-at-home order issued on Thursday. The California Department of Public Health also posted a “Frequently Asked Questions” webpage.

 

What does this mean for Cannabis?
Cannabis is listed in two sections of the list: healthcare/public health and food and agriculture.

While the list is silent on manufacturing and distribution, we believe the food and agriculture listing is sufficient to cover the entire supply chain.

Any licensee that continues to operate must adopt social distancing and anti-congregating measures and must follow the CDC's Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease at all times.

 

Instructions for Requesting Disaster Relief During the COVID-19 Pandemic from the BCC

In response to Governor Newsom's emergency declaration regarding COVID-19, Bureau licensees who are unable to comply with specific regulatory requirements may request relief from specific licensing requirements pursuant to section 5038 of the Bureau's regulations.

Requests for disaster relief should be submitted using the Notification and Request Form, (BCC-LIC-027), and may be submitted to the Bureau at BCC@dca.ca.gov. Requests for disaster relief must be submitted by an Owner or Primary Contact for the license. Requests should include the licensee's name, the license number, the specific regulatory requirements the licensee is seeking relief for, why the relief is needed, and a detailed description of how the licensee plans to conduct their operations if the relief is granted.

Licensees must obtain approval from the Bureau to be relieved of specific licensing requirements before changing operations. Requests for disaster relief will be reviewed by the Bureau's staff in a timely manner and responses to requests received will be provided via email. Temporary relief for specific licensing requirements may be issued for a specified amount of time. The Bureau may require that certain conditions be followed for the relief to be granted.

Any questions regarding disaster relief requests may be submitted to BCC@dca.ca.gov.

Assistance for California Small Businesses 

California is providing broad assistance to small businesses and employers impacted by COVID-19. This includes:

CCIA COVID-19 Webinars

Covid-19 Impact on Consumer Trends

 

CCIA Risk Management Committee: COVID-19

 

Behind the Data: How Essential Cannabis Businesses are Adapting to COVID-19

Cannabis Taxes During COVID-19

The Federal COVID-19 Stimulus Package: Understanding The CARES Act and Federal Relief Assistance for Cannabis Business

Business Preparedness Resources

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