California Secretary of State Cannabis Business Portal

Start Cannabis Business California

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla has launched the cannabizfile, a new online portal with useful information about cannabis related business filings with the Secretary of State’s office.  Entrepreneurs seeking to start a marijuana related business in California need to register their business entity with the Secretary of State.

“The first stop when starting any business in California, including a commercial cannabis business starting in 2018, is the Secretary of State’s office,” said Secretary of State Alex Padilla.  “Our new cannabizfile portal makes the process for starting a cannabis business easier to navigate for entrepreneurs.  The new site also includes information about registering a business, trademark, or service mark.  Our new ‘Starting a Cannabis Business’ brochure can provide a starting point for new entrepreneurs seeking to quickly get their business up and running.”

See the ‘Starting a Cannabis Business’ brochure – 10 Easy Steps to Start a Cannabis Business Entity in California.

The Secretary of State is the filing agency for all business entity documents, including those relating to newly formed cannabis businesses such as retailers, distributors, microbusinesses, testing laboratories, cultivation, manufacturing, and other marijuana businesses.  Those seeking to obtain a California cannabis license for cannabis business entities such as Corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLC), Limited Partnerships (LP) or limited Liability Partnerships (LLP) are required to register with the Secretary of State before applying for any license(s) with other local and state agencies.

The Secretary of State even has a new Cannabizfile PSA video featuring actor Cheech Marin.  Learn more about state cannabis law at California Cannabis Law.

Contact us to learn more about California state or local cannabis regulations, cannabis regulatory compliance, and cannabis litigation.

Tax Guide for Cannabis Businesses

Tax Guide for Cannabis Businesses

Confused about taxes for a California Cannabis Business?  The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) (formerly BOE) has a good resource for you – Tax Guide for Cannabis Businesses.  Tax information is available for California marijuana distributors, retailers, cultivators, and manufacturers.

The guide is intended to provide general information regarding issues relating to the Sales and Use Tax Laws, Cannabis Tax Law, and other programs administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration which may affect marijuana businesses.

Any business that sells cannabis or cannabis products, must register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for a seller’s permit.  Cannabis cultivators, processors, manufacturers, retailers, microbusinesses, and distributors making sales are required to obtain and maintain a seller’s permit as a prerequisite for applying for a license with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the California Department of Consumer Affairs, or the California Department of Public Health.

Distributors of cannabis and cannabis products must also register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for a cannabis tax permit to report and pay the two new cannabis taxes to the CDTFA.  The cannabis tax permit is in addition to the seller’s permit.

Learn more about California Cannabis Licensing and California Cannabis Law.

Contact us to learn more about California state or local cannabis regulations, cannabis regulatory compliance, and cannabis litigation.