Posted on 04/25/2024
ONE BIG THING: CANNABIS IS LEGAL – WHY ARE WE ARRESTING DISPENSARY WORKERS?
Just like we wouldn’t hold a food service worker responsible for their company lacking proper health permits, we shouldn’t hold cannabis workers liable for their boss’ unlicensed dispensary. That’s why we introduced a motion that would change the current city law to no longer charge workers with crimes in these cases.
The Problem: Cannabis Workers Arrested for Unknowingly Working in an Illegal Dispensary
Hundreds of workers are arrested in the City of LA every year for working in unlicensed dispensaries even though they thought they were just working a perfectly legal retail job.
- 60% are young people under the age of 30
- 80% are people of color
These workers usually get a misdemeanor charge and can face community service, probation, and even jail time. Moreover, those charges stay on their record, putting up a massive obstacle for future employment.
The Solution: Go After Owners and Operators Instead
The City of LA is facing a massive budget deficit – it makes no sense to continue wasting our valuable resources going after these innocent workers.
This change would positively affect hundreds of lives in the City of LA every year, while also freeing up funding to investigate more illegal dispensaries and their owners.
What's Next?
Last week, the motion passed unanimously through the Public Safety Committee, and this week, the motion passed unanimously through the Planning Committee. That means that the motion will likely come to the full City Council for a vote in the coming weeks.
If it’s approved, the City Attorney would prepare an amendment to the ordinance (essentially the actual law), and that would come back to council for one final vote.
Stay tuned for updates!
Two More Quick Hits!
1. We’re Hiring a Lead Organizer
Did you know that there were over 10,000 election filings in District 13 just last year? If you read our newsletter every week, you probably did know that. And that also means you might know someone who would be a good fit for a Lead Organizer job opening!
This role will lead our team in connecting with tenants facing eviction across the district, so they get the resources they need to stay in their homes. They’ll also lead our volunteer organizing program to continue to build community power in CD13. Read the job description and apply at bit.ly/joincd13.
2. Saving Lives at Public Parks
This week, council passed a motion that will expand automated external defibrillators (AEDs) access at all public parks in the City of LA.
This motion was introduced after a teenage boy named Michael Isayan had the tragic experience of witnessing his father go into cardiac arrest before his eyes at an LA Public Park. Thankfully, his father survived, – but that wouldn’t have happened if park staff hadn’t responded immediately with CPR and an AED. In the aftermath, Michael became dedicated to expanding the availability of AEDs across LA to save lives.
He took the idea of requiring AEDs at all parks to his local councilmember, and Council President Paul Krekorian was able to introduce the motion so we can turn Michael’s idea into a reality.