Los Angeles cannabis business lawyers can explain that residential mortgage for marijuana business owners may not be as tricky as commercial loans or rental agreements for marijuana companies. But owners and employees of marijuana companies have struggled to get approved for a mortgage loan because they are not allowed to factor income from the dispensary or other marijuana-related revenue. That all goes back to marijuana’s continued classification as a highly-restricted Schedule I narcotic at the federal level. Residential mortgages are federally-backed loans. That has meant that cannabis owners and their employees must clear numerous hurdles to qualify for a mortgage.

That said, as the industry grows (and the workforce with it), there are some options still on the table for these workers. It’s important for workers to understand home loan restrictions and alternative financing options.

Recently, one wholesale mortgage lender, Encinitas, quietly released the news that it would be accepting borrowers with cannabis-related income applying for home loans. Restrictions for at-home grow operations or farms would still remain in place. The terms are generous, though the interest rate you pay for such a deal is quite high.

Financiers recognize the marijuana industry is pulling in adequate funding. Taxable sales for Q2 of last year were more than $1.3 billion in California. Total state taxes were assessed at more than $330 million. There is growing recognition that those involved in marijuana growth, production and sale have money to invest in real estate. There are nearly 12,150 licensed cannabis companies in the state – including more than 1,330 in Los Angeles, 110+ in Orange County, 400+ in Riverside County, and more than 210+ in San Bernardino. Nationally, legal cannabis is the No. 5 crop in U.S. agriculture. That’s bigger than cotton. Legal cannabis revenue is projected to reach nearly $5 billion for all of last year. Legal sales just in California are expected to to reach $9 billion annually by 2025. Further, 48 states have legalized marijuana for medicinal and/or recreational purposes – a fact that doesn’t align with the federal government’s classification.

But are federal law enforcement agencies likely to pursue lenders who offer mortgages? Probably not. Per the Cole Memo, issued in 2014 during the Obama administration, it’s considered a low priority for federal enforcement. That doesn’t exempt banks from being required to submit reports on suspicious activity, given that any business stemming from marijuana is still technically unlawful. And they are probably going to charge higher administrative fees because of the potential risk of an overzealous prosecutor. But the SARS reports are generally going to shield them from liability risk, especially the longer these practices persist – or at least until the federal government passes legislation to declassify marijuana.

Although we do consider it great news that legal marijuana business owners in California are finally able to secure housing mortgages, it’s still unfair that they’re locked out of the same kind of rates as everyone else. But until federal legislation legalizes cannabis, this is likely to be the best compromise.

If you are considering buying property or renting to a cannabis operator, our dedicated Los Angeles marijuana commercial contract lawyers can help.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, ancillary companies, patients, doctors and those facing marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Yes, there are ‘marijuana mortgages’ for California borrowers, Nov. 4, 2021, By Jeff Lazerson, The OCR

More Blog Entries:

California Marijuana Laws Entangling Tech Companies, Jan. 10, 2022, Los Angeles Marijuana Lawyer Blog

One of those companies is now threatening the city with legal action if they don’t start enforcing statutes and ordinance against unlawful business practices. The licensed cannabis company sent a letter to to the city attorney specifically requesting beefed up enforcement against illegal pot shops. By some estimates, these number in the hundreds.

In that letter, the cannabis company opened by saying that during the slow roll-out of regulated recreational marijuana sales, the city attorney’s office as well as the city attorney himself “overlooked” and “ignored” the businesses interests of licensed, regulated shops, as well as city residents – South Los Angeles especially, where there seems to be the greatest concentration of illegal pot stores.

What Duty Does the L.A. City Attorney Have to Address Illegal Pot Shops?

Following a 2017 special election, voters approved Measure M, which spelled out the city’s regulatory and tax framework as well as plans for criminal and civil penalties imposed on unauthorized shops. These included various civil fines for nuisance offenses by these operators and landlords, as well as enhanced punishments/fines for actions like disconnecting power and water utilities.

According to Measure M, better known as the Los Angeles Cannabis Enforcement, Taxation and Regulation Act (CETRA), is now city ordinance allowing $20,000-a-day civil and $1,000-a-day criminal fines, plus up to six months in jail for those who tamper with public utilities. Employees and volunteers of these operations can face these same penalties also.

However, this cannabis shop owner – and others – say that despite these sites posing a nuisance and a critical public safety risk, the city attorney’s office has been either slow to act or has done nothing at all.

In addition to competition for customers, the letter noted legal marijuana ventures are competing with black market shops for valuable real estate – particularly for Phase 3 applicants, the most recent to be welcomed to the legal cannabis market in Los Angeles.

• The company recommended the city attorney pursue legal against owners, operators and landlords of these cites by:
• Shutting off utilities.
• Handing out code violations.
• Issuing formal notices regarding the illegality of operation and warn them either to shut down immediately or face prosecution.
• Keep the local media informed of these enforcement efforts, naming violators who are arrested.

Neither the mayor nor city attorney’s office returned calls to industry media, though the council president in an email responded the city need to prioritize this matter using every tool at its disposal to enforce the law.

If these actions aren’t taken swiftly, the company warned, class action litigation was likely in the cards. Los Angeles cannabis attorneys know this is fairly new territory for a cannabis business. Cases against the government are trickier in general because of sovereign immunity laws and difficulty proving a government agency/agent owes a duty of care to anyone one individual. There are also immunity exceptions when a government employee’s conduct is considered discretionary (the employee had discretion) versus ministerial (they were simply following orders as set forth by policy/nature of the public service provided). It’s worth a discussion of your options with an experienced cannabis attorney.

Between May 2018 and April 2019, the city has closed down 113 illegal pot shops, but many more remain in our communities.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, ancillary companies, patients, doctors and those facing marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

California cannabis trade group threatens to sue L.A. over lack of enforcement against illegal shops, June 5, 2019, MarijuanaBizDaily.com

how they can interact with the cannabis industry. Wells Fargo, however, recently took those restrictions too far when the bank closed the account of a candidate in Florida who made cannabis legalization a tenant of her campaign platform. According to New York Times, Nikki Fried is running for Florida agricultural commissioner and said expansion of the state’s current program is her highest priority.

The candidate runs her campaign finances through Wells Fargo, who questioned her support of marijuana and whether or not she also was planning to take donations from marijuana businesses to fund her campaign. When her campaign workers confirmed she would take such donations, Wells Fargo made an unprecedented move in shutting down her account. Our skilled Los Angeles marijuana business attorneys know it is true under Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812 that the consumption and sales of marijuana in any form or for any purpose is still prohibited in the eyes of the federal government. Therefore, running a marijuana business would still, on paper, be considered illicit drug trafficking. Congress has intervened with the Rohrebacher-Blumenauer Amendment, which has freed cannabis businesses to function under the supervision of individual state laws without the interference of the U.S. Department of Justice, Banks, meanwhile, still largely have their hands tied, unable to allow those businesses to knowingly house money being used to commit a federal crime due to their own federal regulations with which they must comply. While it is unclear how much the Justice Department would target banks for such activity, most have opted to play it safe.

To say the least, this has been a massive inconvenience for the cannabis industry, whose businesses are often targeted for theft because criminals know the large amounts of cash owners are often forced to keep on the premises. It is a primary reason advocates are still fighting so fervently to have marijuana rescheduled federally to end some of this unnecessary chaos. The logic in these cases is sound at least. The law is clear, and all parties involved are doing their best to comply.

In the case of Fried, though, the logic is very shaky and it sends a rather muddled message to the country. It is not illegal to lobby to change a law, which is exactly what Fried is doing through her campaign platform. In fact, since medical marijuana has already been legalized in Florida, her platform to expand the program isn’t even that new or incendiary. Wells Fargo seems to be putting Fried under a level of scrutiny that other politicians and lobbyists have not had to endure.

As for Fried accepting money from marijuana businesses, where will banks draw the line? Are landlords who rent to cannabis businesses not allowed to put money in their own bank account? What about someone who works at a dispensary? Can they not have a personal bank account? What about all the companies that sell to those in the marijuana industry all of the items needed to run a business, such as shelves, cash registers, bags, grow lights, and testing equipment? The list goes on and shows just how preposterous this decision really was. Should you find yourself the target of an unfair attack due to your participation in California’s cannabis industry, our attorneys will get to the bottom of the issue and fight for your rights.

Additional Resources:

Candidate: Wells Fargo Closed Account Over Medical Marijuana Stance, Aug. 20, 2018, By Antonio Fins, Palm Beach Post

More Blog Entries:

Federal Banking Regulations Make Dispensaries Robbery Targets, Nov. 18, 2017, Cannabis Law Group

concrete relief from the oppressive federal law that continues to bind the hands of marijuana businesses despite state legalization. The STATES Act, Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States, is a more formal way of declaring that state laws regarding cannabis usurp the federal government’s Schedule I classification under Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812.

According to a report from Leafly, the bill allows representatives who refuse to step into the 21st Century to support marijuana businesses without taking a stance on marijuana at all. It turns the matter purely into a states’ rights issue, which has become the great unifier in the cannabis debate. It also removes industrial hemp from the definition of “marijuana,” freeing many industries that create products unrelated to the psychoactive properties of cannabis.The bill would help marijuana businesses owners clear a key hurdle they face daily in running a proper business: lack of banking options. As our L.A. marijuana business lawyers can explain, banks are under federal jurisdiction, and therefore must be in compliance with federal rules. By housing funds for cannabis businesses, they would knowingly be engaging in criminal activity in the eyes of the federal government, regardless of the laws within the state. The STATES bill would establish a federal law that would act as a buffer, declaring that following state guidelines in regards to marijuana would not be considered trafficking, thus freeing the banks. The importance of this step cannot be stressed enough. Not only will it make it easier for businesses to function at a base level, but it also will make operations infinitely safer. No longer will owners have to haul massive amounts of cash down long stretches of highway trying to get funds to tax offices. Retail locations as well will not have safes with troubling amounts of cash on-site. These are legitimate businesses and it is about time they be allowed to operate as such.

The bill has garnered support from banks and business owners, as well as Democrats and Republicans. It was introduced by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sen. Corey Gardner (R-CO) and received backing from at least 12 governors petitioning for the bill to advance, including California Gov. Jerry Brown. Sponsors of the bill in the House of Representatives included Rep. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). Blumenauer has long been a champion of states rights for cannabis, acting as one of the sponsors of the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment (originally Rohrabacher-Farr), the amendment that has passed each spending bill since 2014. It created a patch that forbid the Justice Department from using funds to go after medical marijuana operations and users in states where it was legal. If passed, the STATES Act would go much further by putting an official law on the books, rather than something that would need to be passed again and again. It also would give blessing to the state activities, rather than the current system which continues to position the activities as criminal and simply prevents punishment of those crimes.

Navigating the tangled web of local, state, and federal cannabis laws can be a challenge for business owners. Our skilled marijuana business attorneys are well-equipped to clear those challenges and help your operations meet compliance standards so you can focus on your business and your customers.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

How Marijuana is Going to Become Bipartisan, June 7, 2018, By Paul Waldman, Washington Post

More Blog Entries:

Federal Budget Protects State Medical Marijuana Businesses, For Now, Feb. 14, 2018, Cannabis Law Group

Supreme Court decision is primed to have a major effect on marijuana rights throughout the country, but the content of the case is not cannabis: It’s sports gambling. The recent decision in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association opposed a federal law that prohibited states from legalizing gambling on sports. At the heart of the lawsuit is a states’ rights issue, one that will set a precedent far beyond betting on games.

The case began with Congress passing the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 1992, which made it illegal for states to allow sports gambling if they did not already have laws permitting the activity on the books, according to an article from The Hill. Years later, in 2011, New Jersey voters passed a ballot initiative to amend the state constitution and put in place sports gambling permissions and regulations, which sparked the lawsuit with NCAA and sports leagues. It was determined this was in violation of PASPA, so New Jersey legislators instead repealed the laws they had in place forbidding sports bets in casinos, hoping to create one legal avenue. Federal courts stuck down this action as well, which forced a Supreme Court decision on the matter. The Supreme Court, however, sided with New Jersey, stating that PAPSA violated anti-commandeering doctrine.How does this relate back to marijuana? As our Los Angeles marijuana rights lawyers can explain, it all connects back to the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” From this amendment, the Supreme Court created the anti-commandeering doctrine, which declares the federal government cannot force states to enact certain laws, nor can it force them to enforce federal laws. You see, the 10th Amendment on its own does lend quite a bit of authority to the states, but in conjunction with Article VI, Paragraph 2 (otherwise known as the Supremacy Clause), the Constitution still would consider federal law above state law in hierarchy. Without the anti-commandeering doctrine in place, the full extent of state autonomy and authority remains a gray area.

By reaffirming the doctrine once again in this case, the court has bolstered states who choose not to align with federal law. This is particularly applicable to the 29 states that have legalized cannabis in the face of Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812, which labels marijuana a Schedule I narcotic. Not much changes for cannabis business owners, but it creates another layer of protection from hostile Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has made his opinions on cannabis quite known as he has promised to do whatever he could to squash marijuana. Our attorneys know this is a victory, but there is still much work to be done. We can start by helping set up your marijuana business to be in compliance with state and local laws, while we keep a lookout on the national landscape for changing laws and relevant cases, like this one.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Argument Preview: The 10th Amendment, Anti-commandeering and Sports Betting, Nov. 27, 2017, By Amy Howe, SCOTUS Blog

More Blog Entries:

Federal Budget Protects State Medical Marijuana Businesses, For Now, Feb. 14, 2018, Cannabis Law Group

down, largely due to a scare campaign that positioned the 10 pre-designated cultivators as a monopoly. In 2016, HB-523 was signed into law by Gov. John Kasich that set up a process for medical marijuana in the state. Since then, however, the initial phase has been a lumbering one. Advocates remain optimistic, though, pushing now for a state constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana.

On the medical front, Ohio’s program is under scrutiny in court, as a judge in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas is determining whether or not to delay licensing for cultivators, and potentially the launch of the program. According to Cleveland.com, one grower applied for a license and sued the Ohio Department of Commerce after it was denied, claiming there was no appeals process as promised. Reported errors in the scoring of applicants and complaints about officials not following their own rules in the selection process have led to other lawsuits. With only 12 initial promised licenses for large-scale cultivators, the spots are highly coveted.The state is already behind its goal of having the program fully functional by Sept. 8, 2018. Officials are still moving forward, however, with the state medical board selecting the first 36 medical practitioners who will be certified to recommend cannabis to patients. Those who are chosen must complete a free two-hour course on approved medical conditions, how to treat them with cannabis, and drug interactions, the Associated Press reported. Few snags are anticipated in this part of preparations.

In spite of, or perhaps because of, the floundering medical marijuana program, talk of recreational marijuana is back in the forefront in Ohio. Ohio Attorney General certified language for a petition for a measure that would amend the state constitution to make recreational cannabis legal. This amendment does not include a limit on grow sites like the measure that failed in 2015, but it does have provisions for personal plants in private spaces and no limits on how much can be grown or purchased. On the other hand, it also gives power to landlords and employers to have a say in whether you can grow or use. Next steps include a trip to the Ohio Ballot Board, seeking almost 306,000 signatures, and finally (we hope) inclusion on a ballot for voters to decide. Deadline to be on this November’s ballot is July 4, so advocates think the 2019 ballot is a more likely goal.

It’s easy to forget looking around California how rocky the path to marijuana legalization has been in other states. We have experienced our own growing pains, for sure, but the more than 20-year gap between medical marijuana legalization and the implementation of recreational cannabis laws has given us a long time to learn and grow. We still have some mountains to climb, but with a solid foundation, the will of the people, and the experience of trusted legal counsel like our Los Angeles marijuana regulations lawyers, we can overcome obstacles that arise along the way.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Ohio Recreational Marijuana Measure Certified by Attorney General Mike DeWine, May 10, 2018, By Jackie Borchardt, Cleveland.com

More Blog Entries:

More States Look to Legalize Marijuana in 2018, Jan. 21, 2018, By Los Angeles Marijuana Lawyers Blog

But even after just a few weeks, the state government is already reaping big cash benefits reefer. Gov. Jerry Brown estimates $643 million in marijuana excise taxes in the first year, according to a Los Angeles Times report. Earlier projections estimated tax revenue could eventually hit $1 billion. Brown cautioned we don’t fully know every market issue that is at play, so local governments should be careful before enacting any sweeping measures.

Even as such, the lower estimates more than cover the $52 million California budgeted for 2017-2018 to establish and run the marijuana licensing system. The $643 million also does not include local sales taxes or state license fees. It costs businesses $1,000 for a license to sell cannabis. The fees are set to cover all costs associated with permits, including background checks, and resources necessary for processing and issuing.Marijuana taxes are earmarked to fund job programs designed to curb environmental effects of illegal growers, youth prevention and treatment resources, help for communities most affected by the war on drugs, programs to prevent driving under the influence, and grants for job placement, substance-use disorder treatment, and mental health initiatives, among other causes. Each year, $15 million is also supposed to go to studies on the impact of marijuana by California Highway Patrol and universities.

Some say the sizable taxes are harmful to users and cannabis businesses. They warn that the current tax structure puts such an intense burden on these groups that black market growers and sellers will continue to thrive. The California Growers Association is advocating to drop the retail sales excise tax from 15% to 5% and amending the cultivation tax. It is also pushing for a ballot initiative for cannabis tax reform in 2018.

At the very least, the California Legislative Analyst’s Office must review and make a recommendation by 2020 as to whether the tax rate should change under the rules of Proposition 64.

While some argue that a reduction in excise tax will lead to less funding for all the beneficial programs in place, it’s possible a lower tax will encourage more businesses to operate above board. The state would therefore collect from those who previously were operating illegally. It also could lead to more customers, who might find the current price point of marijuana prohibitive to purchasing consistently. The additional sales tax from these users could potentially help make up the difference in lower taxes.

Others want to keep user costs high enough that minors are not able to easily acquire marijuana.

Regardless of the tax rate, our Los Angeles marijuana business attorneys know the best way to run a cannabis business is legally. It may be tempting to cut corners, but as regulations and enforcement strategies become more solidified, illegal operations will have fewer places to hide. Our knowledgeable attorneys will help you get a business plan in place that will keep you in compliance with state and local laws and protect you in the long run.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

California Could See a $643-Million Marijuana Tax Haul in First Full Year of Legalization, Gov. Jerry Brown Says, Jan. 10, 2018, By Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times

More Blog Entries:

Tax Rate Fears Worry Some in Cannabis Industry, Nov. 22, 2017, Los Angeles Marijuana Business Attorneys Blog

commercial sales. While the Adult Use of Marijuana Act made recreational sales legal in the state Jan. 1, it is still up to city and county governments to decide for themselves whether they will issue a ban or set up their own guidelines and regulations. Implementation of guidelines takes time, and some cities, Los Angeles included, were not able to get them in place before the rollout at the beginning of the year.

Los Angeles City Council approved commercial marijuana sales early in December, and by mid-January about two dozen businesses in the city had been granted temporary permits. Three of those businesses had state approval secured and were able to open for business that week, according to an NBC News report. More regulations will have to be met down the road to achieve legal status permanently, the Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation told NBC.While this was happy news for the city, the delay was frustrating to some dispensaries, who wanted to follow proper legal channels but felt they were being punished while hundreds of unlicensed operations profited from recreational sales. Not only are these businesses operating without regulation, but they also are not paying taxes, those who have followed procedure complained. Officials in L.A. said they intend to tackle black market sales and shut down unlicensed operations.

That is why it is so crucial for serious owners to speak to our Los Angeles recreational cannabis business lawyers. Our experienced California marijuana attorneys are on top of all the latest laws and regulations to keep your business in compliance with local and state laws. While cutting corners might be tempting in the short term, such a decision can have devastating effects, potentially costing you your business, your hard earned revenue, and leading to possible legal ramifications. If you’re looking to start a business for the first time, we can walk you through all the necessary steps to establish your company and guide you through the licensing process with ease.

Recreational cannabis has been a longtime coming in the state of California, which was the first to usher in medical marijuana more than 20 years ago under the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. The state lagged behind a few others who have been reaping the benefits of adult use laws, with Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, D.C., opening the recreational floodgates.

Illegal adult use has been prevalent in Los Angeles for some time, with residents taking advantage of black market availability. Others tried to stay above board by obtaining a medical marijuana card, though it is a not-very-well-kept secret among Californians that a recommendation for a card is easy to get from the right doctor, with little proof necessary of an ailment. Leaders in Los Angeles hope that through recreational marijuana legalization, they can weed out illegal distribution channels and smooth out the system for residents to have safe and easy access to cannabis. It also will clear the way for the city to collect tax revenue previously lost to an illegal economy that has been thriving under their radar.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Los Angeles Marijuana Dispensaries Begin First Legal Recreational Sales, Jan. 20, 2018, By James Rainey, NBC News

More Blog Posts:

L.A. Slated to Become the Largest U.S. City With Legalized Recreational Marijuana, Dec. 7, 2017, Los Angeles Cannabis Lawyers Blog

businesses opening their doors.

Los Angeles city council approved guidelines for the sale of recreational marijuana late in 2017, and the city hoped to have the regulations put in place by the roll-out of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act on Jan. 1, 2018. However, the city now says it needs extra time to establish the intricate rules.

Therefore, Los Angeles could not start accepting applications right away. Additionally, it usually takes weeks for a business to receive a license and meet standards with local and state officials.Cities throughout California are kicking off sales of recreational marijuana now that it has become legal statewide. However, individual districts have been given the right to reject the state law or control over how they would like to have it implemented in their city. Kern County, for example, banned recreational use and sales altogether.

In March 2017, voters in Los Angeles passed (with 80 percent of the vote) a ballot measure that would get the ball rolling on establishing a marketplace in the city, joining other major areas in the state that have approved commercial sales, such as San Diego, San Jose, Santa Cruz, and West Hollywood, according to the Associated Press.

But it wasn’t until much later in the year that city officials came to an agreement on the necessary guidelines. In the meantime, hundreds of dispensaries have been shut down in Los Angeles as owners tried to get a foothold without the proper licensing.

Officials say it isn’t just the storefronts in Los Angeles that have a ways to go. Details still need to be ironed out with the growers and distributors and how specifically those aspects of the business will be governed and managed. This has left local growers and sellers nervous that they will be at a disadvantage to establishments in other cities who are already able to start operations.

Our Los Angeles marijuana business attorneys are on top of the latest in regulations by the city of Los Angeles, as well as throughout the state of California. It is important if you want to successfully apply to run a cannabis business in Los Angeles that you seek counsel from experienced legal professionals in the industry who will make sure all of your bases are covered. Compliance with the law can make or break your company. If you are found in violation of a regulation, it can be very costly or cause you to lose the business you worked so hard to build.

At its core, California hopes that recreational marijuana will be managed in a similar fashion to alcohol, with an age restriction of 21 or older and cities having the freedom to issue licenses as they see fit. Where recreational activity has not been banned, adults will be allowed to possess one ounce and have six plants in their homes. In Los Angeles, pot businesses would mostly be forbidden in residential neighborhoods. Areas around parks, schools, and libraries would also be off limits.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients and those facing marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Los Angeles won’t join California’s legal pot party Jan. 1, Dec, 22, 2017, By Michael R. Blood, Associated Press

More Blog Entries:

L.A. Slated to Become Largest U.S. City with Legalized Recreational Marijuana, Dec. 7, 2017, L.A. Marijuana Attorney Blog