The City Council today approved an ordinance that would allow the Department of Water and Power to shut off utility services to pot shops that are operating illegally.
The ordinance, which was introduced in September of last year by Councilwoman Nury Martinez and Monica Rodriguez, would authorize DWP to clamp down as long as they've gotten written confirmation that the business is, in fact, engaged in cannabis activity, as well as confirmation that the business doesn't have temporary approval to operate or a temporary license.
Earlier in the week, the motion cleared the Rules, Elections, and Intergovernmental Relations Committee. At that time, Martinez issued a written statement.
"Today's action brings us one step closer to being able to stop illegal cannabis businesses from taking advantage of our taxpayer-funded services," she said. "We must make sure that our communities are safe spaces for our kids to walk through, instead of a free space for illegal shops to operate in."
The ordinance now goes to Mayor Eric Garcetti for his signature, and will go into effect at that time.
