LA CITY ORDINANCE SHUTTING OFF UTILITIES AT ILLEGAL CANNABIS SHOPS GOES INTO EFFECT

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance based on a motion presented by the City’s Chair of the Public Safety Committee, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, to shut off power services at unlicensed cannabis shops. The ordinance advances to the Mayor’s desk to be signed, and upon his signature and the ordinance’s publication, it will go into effect immediately.

“This ordinance is an efficient and common sense tool to help streamline and increase enforcement efforts of illegal cannabis sites.” said Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. “The spread of illegally operated cannabis shops is damaging to our communities and the City’s licensing system, undercutting legal businesses that pay taxes and follow strict rules.”

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 this citywide policy to protect our neighborhoods,” said Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez.

To read the Councilwoman’s motion, click here.

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Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez serves as the City’s Chair of the Public Safety Committee and 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.