California State Legislature plans on Monday to strengthen the legal marijuana industry in California, which continues to struggle to compete with the cannabis market, about five years after voters approve it for entertainment. approved.
Los Angeles will be the largest beneficiary of the money proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom to be offered as a grant to cities and counties to help the cannabis business transition from a provisional license to a regular license.
“California voters approved Proposal 64 five years ago and commissioned the state legislature to create a legal and regulated cannabis market,” said Parliamentary Budget Committee Chairman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). Says. “We haven’t achieved that goal yet.”
Many cannabis growers, retailers, and manufacturers are struggling to move from provisional temporary licenses to permanent licenses that are renewed annually. In this process, you plan to reduce your business and their harm.
As a result, about 82% of state cannabis licensees still had provisional licenses as of April, according to the Governor’s Office.
The funds, including $ 22 million allocated to LA, help cities hire professionals and staff, complete environmental surveys, and transfer licenses to “help legitimate companies succeed.” Mr Tin said it would help to help.
The grant program is approved by the Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti. In a letter to the legislator, Eric Garcetti said the money was “essential to support a well-regulated, equitable and sustainable cannabis market.”
Separately, the Governor has decided to move from the provisional license by giving the cannabis business a six-month extension beyond the January 1 deadline by complying with the obligations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). I want it. Its extension, which opposes delaying promised environmental protection measures, was not included in the state budget bill approved on Monday, and is still being negotiated with lawmakers.
The Governor’s proposal to extend the provisional license elicited dissent from a coalition of seven environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, California, wildlife advocates, and nature reserves.
In a letter to Newsom, they said that the extension of the provisional license and the provisional alternative to the CEQA rules were “totally inadequate to protect the community and the environment,” contrary to what voters promised. Stated.
At the same time, industry insiders have suggested that the governor help companies struggling to stay open with provisional licenses while meeting what is considered awkward rules under state environmental regulations. Says that is not advanced enough.
“It’s a fair amount, but I’m not sure if it’s actually answering the question of a provisional license that goes through CEQA analysis in a timely manner to get an annual license,”…
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