Los Angeles lawmakers tentatively backed a sweeping set of proposed regulations for businesses that grow, sell, process and distribute marijuana Monday, the next step toward giving cannabis the stamp of local legitimacy.
But industry groups said that recent changes to the proposed rules would force existing marijuana growers and manufacturers to shut down as they wait to get city licenses, devastating the industry and triggering layoffs.
STATE BY STATE: California Cannabis News
At a City Council committee hearing, Council President Herb Wesson repeatedly sought to reassure marijuana business owners that he would find a fair way to address those concerns.
“I realize that that’s a flaw and we’re going to try to deal with it,” Wesson said during the meeting. “But I’m not going to let one flaw slow down the process.”
The committee, headed by Wesson, agreed to support the draft regulations. The proposed rules will now go the entire council for a vote before the city attorney drafts the law for final approval.
