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November 22
1843 - Rancho Castec (Lebec-Tejon area) granted to French immigrant Jose Covarrubias [story]
Rancho Castec diseno map


The County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors passed a motion directing the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs’ Office of Cannabis Management to start the development and implementation of an equitable commercial cannabis licensing program in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

The Office of Cannabis Management proposed recommendations in December 2021 following a July 2021 board directive for a cannabis regulatory framework to address the administrative barriers that create inequitable outcomes and to call for investments to bridge the gaps in educational, technical, and financial resources caused by systemic racism and exacerbated by the War on Drugs.

The recommendations, approved by the board, recommend launching the commercial cannabis program with a low number of licenses, up to 25 retail, 25 delivery, 10 cultivation, 10 manufacturing, 10 distribution, and 10 testing licenses, with priority for equity applicants. This would allow the County to lead the program with equity, to monitor and assess community impacts and efficacy of regulations, and to build appropriate infrastructure to support potential expansion in the following years.

Until L.A. County fully develops and launches its cannabis licensing program, all commercial cannabis activities, including retail, delivery, manufacturing, and cultivation, remain prohibited in unincorporated L.A. County.

“For the past few years, my office and I have worked closely with many community members to combat illegal cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas of the First District. And while we’ve been able to shut down many illegal dispensaries quickly and permanently, our residents remain frustrated about the lack of effective measures to protect their families from the negative impacts of these unlicensed establishments while also respecting the intent of California’s voters who supported the legalization of cannabis,” said Hilda L. Solis, Supervisor to the First District, who authored the Board motion. “To that end, the time is right to begin developing a plan for the legal distribution, retail, manufacturing, enforcement, and regulation of cannabis in unincorporated Los Angeles County that is rooted in equitable access, strong and effective enforcement, and community awareness and education.”

“A cannabis program that is safe, regulated, and equitable is necessary for unincorporated LA County and for addressing the injustices that have caused communities of color to be disproportionately criminalized and shut out of economic gains from the legalization of cannabis,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second District. “I am proud to co-author this motion with Supervisor Solis and look forward to the Office of Cannabis Management leading the development of a framework to expand access to opportunity and reduce the stigma associated with the cannabis industry.”

“Building a truly equitable regulatory program is challenging and requires a critical rethinking of the County’s administrative infrastructures, the cannabis industry including its failures and successes, and government’s role therein,” said DCBA Director Rafael Carbajal, “The Office of Cannabis Management is committed to participating in this process with our partners to create a healthy, sustainable, and equitable cannabis market in Los Angeles County.”

The board also approved the Office of Cannabis Management’s recommendations for a robust Equity Program, which will provide referrals and access to resources such as education, job training, technical assistance, and capital for qualified candidates. The impact of this program would be monitored by a Cannabis Working Group of subject matter experts and county departments to track equity data and promote data-driven decision making.

The Office of Cannabis Management will work in collaboration with county departments, community stakeholders and partners and will hold community engagement meetings to share information and gather feedback.

For more information about the Office of Cannabis Management, including updates on upcoming public and stakeholder engagement meetings and a list of retailers that participate in L.A. County’s Cannabis Compliance and Enforcement Program, visit their website.

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
Thursday, Nov 21, 2024
Celebrate this special time of year with the 29th annual Winter Magic Lighted Boat Parade and holiday event Saturday, Dec. 7 at Castaic Lake, Lower Lagoon.
Monday, Nov 18, 2024
Supervisor Kathryn Barger has helped an artwork find its home in the high desert through the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s sculpture loan program.
Monday, Nov 18, 2024
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating two local cases of E. coli associated with a multistate outbreak linked to multiple brands of recalled organic whole bagged carrots and baby carrots sold by Grimmway Farms.
Friday, Nov 15, 2024
Local and federal law enforcement officials conducted a large-scale narcotics trafficking operation on Wednesday, Nov. 13, that resulted in the arrest of several individuals.
Friday, Nov 15, 2024
Sunday, Nov. 17 is National Take a Hike Day. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has a few tips to share to celebrate the day safely.

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