Cannabis Regulations

Cannabis Regulations

On February 7, 2017, the Board of Supervisors adopted a motion directing the Department of Regional Planning to prepare an ordinance, in collaboration with the Chief Executive Office and County Counsel, which:

Bans the cultivation, manufacture, processing, testing, transportation, and retail sale of medical and nonmedical cannabis in the unincorporated territory of the County until the County adopts a comprehensive regulatory framework for medical and nonmedical cannabis, and

Sets reasonable regulations for personal cultivation of medical and nonmedical cannabis including, but not limited to, provisions ensuring that the cultivation shall not be visible from the public right-of-way, an appropriate limit on the total number of plants which may be cultivated for personal use in any one dwelling unit and on a single parcel, and a maximum height for individual plants. 

Ordinance No.  2017-0025, banning cannabis businesses in the unincorporated areas of the County of Los Angeles, was adopted on June 6, 2017 and became effective on July 6, 2017.  The ordinance also established regulations for personal cannabis cultivation in conjunction with a legally established dwelling unit. 

On December 8, 2017, the State Bureau of Cannabis Control launched its online licensing system and began accepting applications for commercial cannabis licenses.  In order to obtain a license, the State requires proof of a valid license, permit, or authorization from the local jurisdiction where the business will be established.  With the existing County ban of cannabis businesses in effect, the State will not issue a license to cannabis businesses within the unincorporated areas of the County. 

The Office of Cannabis Management has prepared a Board Letter with policy recommendations for cannabis business, which will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for consideration during a public hearing in early 2018.  The Board Letter and policy recommendations can be viewed on the Office of Cannabis Management’s website at http://cannabis.lacounty.gov/draft-policies/..