LA approves placard program for licensed cannabis businesses

Licensed cannabis businesses in the city of Los Angeles will soon display a placard to indicate they are operating legally and in compliance with public health regulations, under an ordinance approved by the City Council Wednesday.

The emblems are designed to serve as easily visible notifications for the public and law-enforcement agencies about the legality of the businesses.

“Unfortunately, unlicensed commercial cannabis activity continues to undermine the legal commercial cannabis industry and threaten the health and safety of Los Angeles residents,” City Councilman Paul Koretz said in a statement following the council vote.

“I have been working on getting this emblem program designed and implemented for the past few years and I’m incredibly grateful for the Department of Cannabis Regulation’s steadfast work.

“Angelenos are too often left to their own devices to figure out if a cannabis product is safe — whether it’s been tainted, contaminated or mislabeled. This program will help remedy that and give consumers the information needed to make safe and healthy decisions when buying cannabis products.”

The placards are expected to begin appearing at licensed businesses later this year. Under the program, businesses will apply for an emblem and must undergo a health inspection. Once the emblem is received, it will be placed in such a way that it is visible to the public from the exterior.