Los Angeles County officials approved a motion to push for popular online platforms such as Google and Yelp to stop listing unlicensed cannabis stores.
The motion, approved unanimously Tuesday by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, requires several state agencies to prepare reports within three months outlining strategies to restrict online advertising on social websites and apps, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The measure also directs the five-member board to write and sign a letter requesting certain websites “to voluntarily cease advertising illegal cannabis dispensaries in the County,” the newspaper reported.
Time will tell if the Board of Supervisors’ efforts spark change.
In February, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul demanded that social media sites and search engines such as Meta and Google stop promoting illicit marijuana sellers.
The request was part of New York’s wide-ranging, multiagency plan to crack down on illegal operators.
A Yelp spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times the site prohibits marijuana retail advertising but had no plans to flag or take down information, including consumer reviews, for unlicensed operators.
“Yelp believes consumers have a First Amendment right to read and share information about all businesses, even if unlicensed,” the spokesperson said.
