Cannabis Business Permit Application Process: 2 Important Updates

This email provides two important updates regarding the City of Culver City Cannabis Business Permit application process.

1. "Request for Live Scan Service" form

The City has not yet received approval from the California Department of Justice and the FBI for its "Request for Live Scan Service" form. We have been informed that the approval will likely not be granted before May 9, 2018, which is the last day that applications are accepted for the first round of non-storefront Cannabis Business Permits. The May 9th application deadline will continue to apply. Please upload all required attachments except for the following two types of documents (listed in Section B.1 of the “Cannabis Business Permit Application: Part 1 Attachment Instructions”):

□ Copy of the completed “Request for Live Scan Service” form which was submitted to the Live Scan provider (for each Responsible Person).

 □ A receipt for the submitted Live Scan from the Live Scan provider (for each Responsible Person).

This is because "Request for Live Scan Service" form is not available. As soon as it is available and approved by the DOJ/FBI, the City will issue the "Request for Live Scan Service" form to applicants who have met the May 9th deadline, along with a separate deadline for it and the receipt for Live Scan service to be submitted. Please continue to upload all other requested documents, including the Responsible Person Information Form for each Responsible Person.

2. Insurance Requirements

The City’s insurance requirements were previously published with the rest of the application materials. The City will now allow applicants to use insurance issued by companies that meet the following alternative requirements:

• California admitted carriers rated A-:VII or higher in the current Best’s Insurance Reports;
• California approved, non-admitted carriers rated A-:VIII or higher in the current Best’s Insurance Reports.

If you have insurance provided by a company that meets the standards under these alternatives, please attach a copy of this email when you upload your Certificates of Insurance. If you have insurance that meets the coverage published in the previously issued insurance requirements document, there is no need to attach a copy of this email. The City will continue to monitor the insurance marketplace and should the availability of coverage increase in the future, the City may stop providing the alternative to use carriers with these ratings. 

In addition, please note that the City does consider the California State Compensation Insurance Fund an acceptable provider for workers compensation insurance, even though it does not participate in S&P or Best’s ratings.

Professional Liability Insurance is required by any Applicant who may recommend product or dosing requirements. The City considers any cannabis retailer (storefront or non-storefront) a provider of professional services.  Testing Laboratory permit applicants must also have Professional Liability Insurance.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Culver City Cannabis Permitting at cannabis.permit@culvercity.org or (310) 253-5897.