Los Angeles Council discusses cannabis event permits for World Cup and Olympics

Los Angeles City officials are actively working to streamline the permitting process for special events and cannabis sales, as discussed during the recent budget hearings on May 2, 2025. The city is preparing to adopt a final request that will enhance the efficiency of these processes, which have been criticized for taking too long.

City representatives highlighted the need for a consistent and expedited approach to permitting, especially given the scale of events hosted in Los Angeles, such as the World Cup and the Olympics. These large-scale events generate significant revenue, and officials believe that improving the permitting process will allow the city to capitalize on these opportunities more effectively.

The proposed changes will involve collaboration with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Building and Safety to ensure that all necessary permits are processed swiftly. This includes verifying that cannabis sales at events comply with state licensing requirements. The goal is to create a more efficient system that can handle the unique demands of Los Angeles, which often faces challenges that smaller jurisdictions do not.

Additionally, officials acknowledged the need for ongoing improvements to the permitting process, particularly for using parking lots for special events. The discussions emphasized the importance of refining procedures to reduce wait times and enhance operational efficiency.

As Los Angeles prepares for a busy event calendar, these proposed changes aim to ensure that the city can effectively manage its resources and maximize the benefits of hosting major events. The next steps will involve finalizing the request and implementing the new procedures to better serve the community and stakeholders involved in event planning and cannabis sales.