Assembly Member Speaks At LA Cannabis Task Force Event

Los Angeles – Small business owners, patients, doctors, advocates and entrepreneurs packed the Los Angeles Athletic Club on Friday for the inaugural town hall meeting of the Los Angeles Cannabis Task Force.  Keynote speaker Assembly member Rob Bonta (D – Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro) discussed implementation of the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MCRSA), historic legislation sponsored by Assm. Bonta and signed into law by Governor Brown which establishes a regulatory framework for California’s medical cannabis market.

In panel remarks following Assm. Bonta’s keynote, Andrew Westall, Assistant Chief Deputy for Council President Herb Wesson, Jr. outlined the City Council’s plan to work with the cannabis community and the public to reform Proposition D.

The event kicks off a series of Los Angeles Cannabis Task Force town halls to call for fair, lawful and responsible changes to Proposition D, LA’s outdated local ordinance that prevents the city’s cannabis industry from participating in the opportunities MCRSA creates.

“Los Angeles cannabis policy is a mess—but we have a plan to fix it. We’re very encouraged by the Council’s commitment to including the cannabis community in drafting Prop D reforms. This was the cornerstone of our recommendations to the City Council in June, and we look forward to working with them to create a fair licensing system that aligns with state law,” said Ariel Clark, Chair of the Los Angeles Cannabis Task Force.

Following Assemblymember Bonta’s remarks, the Task Force led a panel discussion and Q/A with Mr. Westall.; Lynne Lyman, California State Director for the Drug Policy Alliance; Virgil Grant, Co-Founder of the California Minority Alliance; and Michael Chernis, Policy Director for the Los Angeles Cannabis Task Force.

LA’s City Council is currently considering reforms to Proposition D. In June, the Los Angeles Cannabis Task Force presented the Council with nine common-sense proposals to reform the city’s cannabis industry, including more opportunities for public input. A copy of the nine proposals can be found here. If done right, reforms to LA’s medical cannabis industry can fund important education, healthcare and law enforcement programs; align city and state laws; reduce crime; and keep hardworking Angelenos on the right side of the law.

The Los Angeles Cannabis Task Force is dedicated to creating a fair and vibrant cannabis industry in Los Angeles by establishing a safe, lawful, and responsible local licensing system that aligns with the business and license categories authorized by California state law. For more information or to get involved, visit www.lacannabistaskforce.org.