L.A. County urges Yelp and Google to ban illegal cannabis shops

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has taken action to address the proliferation of illegal cannabis dispensaries by approving a motion to remove them from online platforms like Google and Yelp. Introduced by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, the measure aims to differentiate between licensed and unlicensed dispensaries, allowing consumers to make informed choices. The county plans to prepare reports within three months on how to curb unauthorized cannabis advertising in unincorporated areas. The motion received unanimous support from the Board and includes a directive for county leaders to urge major online platforms to stop advertising illegal dispensaries. This initiative comes in response to the challenges faced by legitimate businesses that are undermined by unlicensed operators who evade regulations and taxes, thus offering lower prices. The disparity in the number of licensed versus unlicensed dispensaries in L.A. County is stark, with only 384 out of nearly 1,500 being properly licensed as of 2022. The situation is complicated by the fact that search engines and mapping services do not currently distinguish between legal and illegal dispensaries, often leading consumers to unlicensed shops. This lack of clarity can mislead customers and legitimize illicit businesses. Other regions, such as San Diego County, have successfully tackled the issue of illegal dispensaries, highlighting the need for more effective enforcement in L.A. County. Public comments during the Board meeting reflected concerns about the negative impact of illegal dispensaries on local communities, including increased crime and traffic issues. The county's law enforcement efforts have been limited, with only a few raids conducted each month, and many illegal shops reopening shortly after being shut down. The new motion aims to strengthen the fight against these problematic establishments.