Cannabis businesses have operated in the shadows for so long, following state law hasn’t been at the top of their minds.
SACRAMENTO (PRWEB) January 10, 2018
SunDoc Filings (https://www.sundocumentfilings.com), California’s leading business filing company, today issued a reminder to California cannabis growers and cannabis-related businesses. SunDoc Filings reminds business owners that they may need to register their company with the California Secretary of State and obtain appropriate state, county and city licenses for their businesses.
“This is an exciting time,” says Stan Huser, president of SunDoc Filings. “It’s rare to see a billion dollar industry be legalized at a stroke. We expect thousands of new cannabis-related businesses to launch this year.”
Californians voted to legalize marijuana in the November 2016 election. As of January 1, 2018 California cannabis-related businesses, including growers, distributors and manufacturers can legally operate their businesses with the state of California.
At the same time, Huser cautions that with legalization comes the need to obey state licensing and regulation requirements.
“Cannabis businesses have operated in the shadows for so long,” says Huser, “Following state law hasn’t been at the top of their minds.”
So, while business owners no longer risk being busted for possession of illegal substances, they can face fines and other penalties if they fail to register their business with the California Secretary of State, obtain a tax identification number, and obtain required state and local licenses.
According to Huser, all businesses forming as an LLC, corporation, limited partnership or limited liability partnership are required to register with the California Secretary of State. Businesses operating as a sole proprietorship or general partnership may not required to register. California is also recognizing a new business entity type called a Cannabis Cooperative Association, which must also register with the Secretary of State.
In addition, Huser says that cannabis-related businesses require a state license from one of three state agencies: the Bureau of Cannabis Control, the CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Program or the Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch.
“Those are the state licensing agencies,” Huser says. “Depending on where the businesses is based, it may also need one or more county or municipal licenses.”
Huser further notes that cannabis sellers must obtain a state seller’s permit, and that certain businesses will need to obtain a “cannabis tax permit” from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
The California Secretary of State’s office has published a PDF guide “10 Easy Steps to Start a Cannabis Related Business Entity in California,” which is available here: http://bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov/cannabizfile/10steps2.pdf.
Huser’s company SunDoc Filings helps companies register their business with the Secretary of State. For information on California incorporation, visit https://www.sundocumentfilings.com/form-file-california-corporation-online.
SunDoc Filings also helps companies determine what business licenses they need. For more information, visit https://www.sundocumentfilings.com/how-to-get-business-license.
About SunDoc Filings
SunDoc Filings is a nationwide provider of business filing services, including incorporation and LLC formation. Located in Sacramento, the company specializes in expedited services for California.
For more information, visit their web site at https://www.sundocumentfilings.com.