Since voters approved Proposition 64 to legalize the cultivation, possession and use of cannabis by adults for non-medical purposes in last year’s general election, Los Angeles County is not letting the grass grow under its feet. It has established the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) with an eye towards regulation of the drug.
On May 16, the Las Virgenes Homeowners Federation hosted a presentation by OCM’s Joseph M. Nicchitta and Max Thelander, who were directed by the Board of Supervisors to “conduct robust outreach in every supervisorial district” to document and provide public feedback and concerns to the Board before it makes a decision on any regulations. State licensing authorities are scheduled to begin issuing licenses on January 1, 2018.
On February 7, the Board of Supervisors presented a short list of why regulations are necessary:
- Protect public safety and health
- Protect quality of life in unincorporated communities
- Eliminate illegal sales and storefronts
- Eliminate DIY hazardous manufacturing and extraction
- Promote equity in siting and preventing undue burdens on any one unincorporated community
- Environmental concerns with illegal cultivation
- Strong voter support
There are several ways to provide feedback and stay informed:
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- L.A. County will be hosting community meetings in each district starting this month
- Sign up to receive e-mails or sign up online: lacounty.gov/ocm-contact-us
- For general questions or concerns: cannabis@lacounty.gov
- For more information: cannabis.lacounty.gov
Marijuana cultivation and use is still a federal crime. Under President Obama, federal authorities looked the other way for the most part; the Trump administration, however, could easily reverse that. Medical marijuana was legalized in California in 1996.
