The Los Angeles City Council Friday approved a motion seeking to limit the criminalization of cannabis employees who are unaware they are working at unlicensed commercial or unlawful establishments.
Council members voted 10-0 in favor of the matter, which had been introduced by Hugo Soto-Martinez, Eunisses Hernandez and Tim McOsker. With the passage of item, the city attorney is expected to update a city law that regulates cannabis activities.
Council members Bob Blumenfield, Kevin de Leon, John Lee, McOsker and Paul Krekorian were absent during the vote.
"This motion is about stopping the unjust criminalization of cannabis workers," Soto-Martinez said prior to the vote. "We can focus on going after the owners and operators, and actually shut down illegal dispensaries."
As of now, the city's laws punish cannabis workers who work at un- permitted establishments. But Soto Martinez called it unjust, adding, "We wouldn't hold a food service worker responsible for their companies lacking proper health permits."
"We shouldn't hold cannabis workers liable for their bosses unlicensed dispensary," the councilman said.
The current rules have led to hundreds of arrests, with 80% of them being Black and Brown Angelenos who are working at the dispensaries, he added. Often times, the charges negatively impact workers' future when applying for housing, new employment opportunities, and in some cases have led to deportations.
"Once this amended ordinance comes back from the City Attorney's Office, we will be making an impact on lives of hundreds of Angelenos every single year while also freeing up our city's resources to investigate the owners and operators that are actually responsible for these illegal dispensaries," Soto-Martinez said.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok