Los Angeles Meeting to Close All Dispensaries in the County
Medical cannabis dispensaries in the county of Los Angeles may soon find themselves raided or even worse, shut down, if a proposal being brought forward tomorrow passes.
On Wednesday, March 8, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors will hold a meeting to discuss a proposal from the Sheriff, District Attorney and County Council who want to close all unlicensed medical cannabis dispensaries, as requested at the Board meeting of February 7, 2017. If successful, as many as 70 cannabis dispensaries could be targeted by law enforcement.
“We’re concerned for the county to take a position that’s enforcement-driven instead of providing a pathway toward licensing and regulation,” Attorney Ariel Clark, chair of the Los Angeles Cannabis Task Force, told LA Weekly.
This action could cost the county $25 million dollars, not counting the enormous tax hit they would take if they eliminated the medical cannabis industry. Prop 64, California’s recreational cannabis push, overwhelmingly passed last November.
In the face of the opposition, a group of cannabis advocates is trying to organize a presence at the session. Angeles Emeralds along with Drug Policy Alliance, California Cannabis Industry Association, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, and Los Angeles Cannabis Task Force plan to address the board, and invite others to join them. They feel that the Board would be acting against the wishes of its constitutes, and that there are better ways to spend the $25 million—like helping the homeless or expanding public education on the benefits of cannabis.
The meeting will be taking place Wednesday, March 9, at 9:30 am at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration (500 West Temple Street, room 383 Los Angeles, CA 90012). Organizers are asking participants to arrive 30 minutes early at 9 am, and to make sure they have a valid ID. If you decide to speak, you will be afforded three minutes.
