Illegally ran pot shops may be facing some costly run-ins with the city.
Earlier in the week, the Los Angeles City Council decided to move forward with a proposal that would charge business and the owners that they rent from, for the costs that it takes to shut down illegally ran marijuana dispensaries. They’ll also be responsible for the costs associated with LAPD enforcement, legal fees assessed by the city for the use of an attorney, as well as shutting off the retailers’ utilities.
The proposal is now in the city attorney’s hands, to draft an ordinance that would allow L.A. to begin recouping costs.
Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, who originally brought the motion to the city, said that she believes that some property owners who rent to their spaces to illegal cannabis businesses have been cutting corners when it comes to following the law. Her goal is to crack down on related transactions that are looking to just “make fast money.”
“What we have found is that many are complicit in the business themselves,” she said. “So we are going to shut them down, and we are gonna give them the bill.”