Today, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez’s motion directing the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to crack down on unlicensed cannabis shops by shutting off water and power services.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 26, 2019
Press Contact:
Tran Le, tran.le@lacity.org
213-257-0475
ILLEGAL POT SHOPS TO HAVE POWER SHUT OFF, CITY TO BEGIN DRAFTING ORDINANCE
Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez’s motion directing the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to crack down on unlicensed cannabis shops by shutting off water and power services.
“The spread of illegally operated cannabis shops is damaging to our communities and the City’s licensing system, undercutting legal shops that pay taxes and follow strict rules,” said Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. “This ordinance is an efficient and common sense tool to help streamline and increase enforcement efforts of illegal cannabis sites.”
While cannabis has been legal for recreational sale in California since January 1, 2019 a license from both the state and city of Los Angeles is required to legally operate a dispensary and hundreds of illegal businesses are believed to be operating in breach of the regulations. In partnership with law enforcement and City agencies, nearly two dozen illegally operated cannabis shops have been shut down and over 20 search warrants have been served in the Northeast San Fernando Valley in the last twelve months. This ordinance will strengthen and expand these current enforcement efforts.
“The Department of Cannabis Regulation is pleased to see movement on this very important enforcement tool that will be monumental in curbing existing and new illegal cannabis establishments in the City. We will continue to work with LADWP, LAPD and the City Attorney to ensure the Council’s actions today will be successful,” said Cat Packer, Executive Director, City of Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation.
“I am proud of our productive partnership with law enforcement and City agencies and look forward to implementing a citywide policy to tackle this very important public safety issue,” said Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez.
The draft ordinance will return to City Council in the coming months. To read the Councilwoman’s motion, click here.
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Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez represents the 7th Council District in the Northeast San Fernando Valley which include the neighborhoods of Sylmar, Mission Hills, Pacoima, Lake View Terrace, Sunland, Tujunga, North Hills, Shadow Hills, and La Tuna Canyon.