With Los Angeles facing a $300 million budget deficit, Mayor Karen Bass is proposing deep cuts to nearly every city department, from street services to cannabis regulation.
According to Michelle Garakian, Executive Director of the Department of Cannabis Regulation, the mayor’s proposed budget cuts funding for the Business, Licensing, and Compliance Assistance program, which helps small businesses navigate the complex market.
Funding is also eliminated for a position that supports the city’s Cannabis Complaint Portal, which aids in shutting down illegal dispensaries.
At a City Council budget committee meeting, LAPD Commander Jay Mastick said the police are currently aware of 53 unlicensed pot dispensaries across the city of L.A. – and there could be more if money is cut from the regulation budget.
“We've shut down numerous cannabis dispensaries just this last fiscal year,” he said. “The model we're using right now has been very, very effective. So my recommendation would be to continue the current model, the current funding.”
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The Department of Cannabis Regulation is requesting an additional $2.5 million from the General Fund to support the BLC Assistance program.
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