Los Angeles appoints chief of marijuana department

A longtime California marijuana advocate will oversee Los Angeles’ Department of Cannabis Regulation.

The L.A. City Council has confirmed Cat Packer as executive director of the newly created department, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Packer – a former director for the California chapter of Drug Policy Alliance – will work alongside the five-member Cannabis Commission that will help develop the L.A.’s marijuana industry rules.

According to the Times, the council also approved the commission’s members:

  • Robert Ahn, an ex-planning commissioner
  • Rita Villa, a certified public accountant
  • Philip D. Mercado, of Southern California Permanente Medical Group
  • Misty Wilks, a lawyer
  • Victor Narro, formerly of the police commission

Los Angeles is trying to gear up for the January 2018 launch of California’s recreational marijuana market.