Expansion in the Department of Cannabis Regulation and Los Angeles’ Social Equity Program

March 07,2018, Los Angeles

Few months ago, Los Angeles introduced a social equity program with momentous potential of compensating victims of the long drug war. The program is about giving a big share of legalized market to marginalized segments of the community. Now, the city administration has decided to increase its cannabis staff in order to accelerate the progress on adult-use marijuana program.

These new positions are going to be introduced in Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation. According to the executive director of the department Cat Packer, the intent of increasing the staff is to speed up the process of licensing. The department also has a plan to create a managerial position for the city’s social equity program to streamline this initiative.

Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation – Image powered by Arizonamedicalmarijuanaclinic.com

The newly added positions in the regulation department include management assistants, clerks, PR staff and accountants. The city council has approved these new cannabis positions. However, the authorization of Mayor and city administrative office is still needed to finalize the expansion of the department.

No definite timeline is given by the administration as when the hiring process will be commenced. For now, nearly 120 retail marijuana outlets have been issued the license to operate. According to official evaluations, there are still hundreds of unlicensed ventures operating in the city. Cannabis industry is hoping that with inclusion of new staff, the licensing process will become less hectic and consequently encourage unlicensed businesses to enter the ambit of legalization.

Progress on Social Equity Program

The city administration has repeatedly shown its intent to put into effect the program, but it’s still unclear who will be eligible to get inducted in it.

It is being said that it will be determined by assessing all the neighborhoods of the city in relation with the effects of drug war. Moreover, cannabis-related arrests and poverty rates will also be considered while assessing the applications for the program.

The initial assessments pointed towards some neighborhoods eligible for the program. However, this study was indentified with a major flaw because it failed to find any such locality in San Fernando, one of the largest Valleys of the state housing 40% of Los Angeles’s population. Now, the re-evaluation of the city’s neighborhoods will take place to ensure the inclusiveness of the program.

Progress on Social Equity Program – Image powered by Youtube.com

Robert Chlala, a researcher who also works with a marijuana advocate group, is of the thought that this delay in the implementation of social equity program is beneficial for prospective applicants because it will provide them enough time to score the location to operate in. It’s a necessary provision to become eligible for the program.

Chlala’s group is also helping the eligible applicants to secure financial assistance to kickoff their ventures. Other advocacy groups are also working with private investors to take care of the financing of startups under the social equity program. It is also expected that the city Mayor will increase the budget for its cannabis regulation department during the next budget session to make it more resourceful.

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