The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) is preparing to update contact types and functionality within both licensing systems to better align with its regulations under California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 4, section 15000 through 17905. System updates will be implemented on August 14, 2025.
Upcoming changes to the Cannabis Licensing Enforcement and Reporting (CLEaR) system, which supports distributors, testing laboratories, manufacturers, retailers, microbusinesses, cannabis event organizers, and temporary events, will include changing the owner applicant contact title to designated responsible party (DRP); Removing the primary contact and the legal representative contact and adding an informed recipient contact.
Upcoming changes to the Cultivation Licensing System (CLS), which supports cultivation, including processors and nurseries, will include removing the delegate functionality and adding an informed recipient contact.
The DRP is the only contact that can legally bind a licensed business, modify or change a contact, and modify or change an application or license. The DRP also serves as the primary contact for application and license-related matters.
The DRP and any owner listed on the license can submit application or license-specific inquiries to DCC using the email address associated with their contact in the licensing system.
An informed recipient will not have access to the application or license record but will receive system notifications.
Legal representatives will no longer be a contact type in the licensing system, will not have access to the application or license record, and will not receive system notifications.
However, the DRP contact will be allowed to provide written permission for DCC to communicate with a legal representative or an informed recipient by initiating the inquiry using the email address associated with the DRP in the licensing system. The DRP must remain on the communication thread until the inquiry is closed.
Each application or license will be allowed one informed recipient contact. Legal representatives must be licensed to practice law in California.
Source: Cannabis Law Report
