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Operators, advocates urge Los Angeles to audit cannabis equity spending, cite licensing delays and illegal dispensaries
Summary
Dozens of equity-licensed operators and community advocates told the Budget and Finance Committee that city cannabis equity programs have failed to deliver promised funding and supports, asking for an independent audit, debt relief and stronger enforcement against illegal dispensaries.
Dozens of operators with equity licenses, business owners and community advocates used the Budget and Finance Committee’s public-comment period to press the city for an independent audit of cannabis equity funds and changes to licensing and enforcement.
The comments, centered on agenda item 13, focused on long licensing delays, high fees and what speakers called the city’s failure to stop illegal dispensaries that undercut licensed operators. “Antes de que empiece, … necesitamos transparencia, supervisión y acciones correctivas,” said Eya Allen, who identified herself as the owner of Dove Sugar Cannabis.
Why it matters: Equity-licensed operators said the program was intended to repair harms from past enforcement of drug laws, but that delays and fees have instead left many operators deep in debt or facing closures. Several speakers asked the committee to adopt stronger oversight,…
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