Los Angeles to launch long-delayed licensing for marijuana growers

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Los Angeles will kick off the process for licensing marijuana cultivators and manufacturers on Aug. 1, but it’s likely to be many months before any of those companies open their doors for business.

The announcement Monday was greeted with a mix of anticipation and frustration by growers and other businesses awaiting licenses that have watched the illicit market flourish.

California broadly legalized cannabis on Jan. 1, but Los Angeles has moved cautiously with licensing.

Growers and others seeking licenses will have to go through a tiered review in which applicants must show they meet a range of legal requirements, as well as pass inspections.

L.A. has licensed 155 retailers, but the rest of the supply chain has been on hold.

The announcement was made by the city’s top cannabis regulator, Cat Packer, who said she couldn’t give a firm timeline on when the first grow license will actually be issued.

Cannabis Regulation Commission President Robert Ahn indicated the industry would need to exercise patience as the city continues to transform the long-established industry into a multibillion-dollar, regulated marketplace.

– Associated Press