Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

LA considers new tactics for shutting down unlicensed pot businesses

Illegally grown Marijuana plants are seen inside a green house, on October 10, 2010 following a police raid in the southern Israeli moshav of Ami Oz, in the Negev desert.
Marijuana plants are seen inside a green house, on October 10, 2010.
(
David Buimovitch/AFP/Getty Images
)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Listen 0:55
LA considers new tactics for shutting down unlicensed pot businesses

Recreational pot sales have been legal in California for the better part of a year — but that doesn't mean all pot in Los Angeles is being sold legally. Unlicensed businesses still make up a huge chunk of the city's cannabis industry.

On Friday, the L.A. City Council's Rules committee took up a number of new ideas for getting tougher on illegal businesses. Proposals included shutting off their water and power, padlocking their doors, stepping up fines for their employees, creating a new team of building code inspectors and requiring legal shops to display official emblems that distinguish them from unlicensed stores. 

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today