The California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) has updated the contact types in the Cultivation Licensing System (CLS) and the Cannabis Licensing Enforcement and Reporting (CLEaR) system.
These updates align with the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 4, sections 15000–17905, and make the contact options the same in both systems.
The five contact types in both systems are:
- Business Contact – Limit of 1
- Designated Responsible Party (DRP) – Limit of 1
- Owner Contact(s) – Multiple allowed
- Informed Recipient – Limit of 1
- Agent for Service of Process (ASOP) – Limit of 1
Click on a contact type below to see its role and responsibilities, system permissions, and limitations.
Business contact
The business contact records the business entity’s mailing address, telephone number, and website, if available. The business contact will receive licensing system notifications if an email address is entered into the system by the DRP.
Limitations
This contact is not for an individual to use. The business contact does not have access to the application or license record.
Additional information
Designated responsible party (DRP) contact
The DRP must be an individual owner of the commercial cannabis license and is the only contact with the legal authority to bind the business, modify or change a contact, and modify or change an application or license.
The DRP serves as the primary contact for all application and license-related issues and is authorized to communicate application and license-specific information with DCC.
The DRP can provide written permission for DCC to communicate with a legal representative, an informed recipient, or owner regarding an inquiry or modification by initiating the request using the email address associated with them in the licensing system. The DRP must remain on the communication thread until the inquiry is closed.
Permissions
The DRP has access to the application or license record and has the following system permissions:
- Can complete and submit an annual license application
- Can legally bind the licensed business
- Can renew a license
- Can make a payment
- Can upload documents
- Can modify or change an application or a license
- Receives system notifications
Additional information
Owner contacts
Owners listed on an application, or a license may inquire about application and license-specific information with DCC.
Permissions
Owners have access to the application or license record and have the following system permissions:
- Can view the application or license records in the system
- Can make a payment
- Receive system notifications
Each owner may request modifications to their individual contact information in the licensing system.
Limitations
- Cannot complete and submit an annual license application
- Cannot legally bind a licensed business
- Cannot renew a license
- Cannot modify or change a contact (except their own contact information)
- Cannot modify or change an application or license record
- Cannot provide written permission for DCC to communicate application or license-specific information with an informed recipient or legal representative
Additional information
Informed recipient contact
The informed recipient contact will receive licensing system notices. The DRP associated with an application or license may provide written permission for DCC to communicate with an informed recipient by initiating the inquiry from the email address associated with them in the licensing system. The DRP must remain on the communication thread until the inquiry is closed.
Limitations
This contact type does not have access to the application or license record.
Agent for service of process (ASOP) contact
The ASOP contact is an individual designated by the applicant or licensee that receives legal documents from DCC on behalf of a licensee.
Limitations
- Does not have access to the application or license record
- Cannot receive application or license-specific information from DCC
Additional information
Related resources
CLS and CLEaR Contact Types: FAQ
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