Cannabis News
24 Unlicensed Cannabis Dispensaries Raided in LA’s biggest Crackdown
Dozens of unlicensed cannabis dispensaries operating across Los Angeles have been raided and shut down over a week-long mass raids that marked the largest crackdown to date against the city’s black market, L.A. officials announced last month.
The operations, led by cannabis law enforcement agents, were reported to have seized a total of $8.8 million worth of cannabis products, including some 10,000 counterfeit vape pens and $129,000 cash.
According to the officials, investigators, along with the state’s Bureau of Cannabis Control and the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Cannabis Enforcement Unit, have served search warrants at 24 unlicensed cannabis shops from December 10 to December 12.
“In California, we have a challenge with the illegal cannabis market, and as we’re trying to stand up the legal industry, we’re also trying to minimize the illegal industry,” said Alex Traverso, spokesman for the Bureau of Cannabis Control. “Part of that is following up on complaints we receive about unlicensed shops, and a pretty large portion of the unlicensed shops happen to be in Southern California.”
Cannabis Black Market in California
Ever since recreational cannabis became legal in California nearly two years ago, the “state has been under pressure” to take down the thriving underground cannabis market that cuts into the supposed profits of licensed businesses. In fact, about 75% of sales in the state remain underground, making it more difficult for legal storefronts to maintain a stable position in the market.
Moreover, since unlicensed retailers are unregulated by the state, officials claim that these dispensaries are able to roll out untested, high-dose products at undercut prices, creating tons of possible dangers to the health and well-being of citizens.
“For a long time we have been playing a game of whack-a-mole, targeting and shutting down a small handful of illegal shops at a time, only to have them reopen days later in the same location or down the street,” said Jerred Kiloh, the leader of United Cannabis Business Assn., a Los Angeles-based industry group who commended the week-long crackdown.
So far, the question of whether the ongoing crackdown against the illicit cannabis market will succeed remains to be unanswered. However, Lori Ajax, California’s top cannabis regulator, assured that there’s still more to come after the recent massive raids.
“We look forward to working with local jurisdictions and law enforcement as we continue to shut down unlicensed operators,” he added.
Benefits of Medical Marijuana
The State of Cannabis in Washington State: Things To Know in 2021
The Pacific Northwest is well known for its beautifully lush landscapes, crisp apples, fresh air, and progressive lifestyle/health views. Being the only state named after a United States president(George Washington), Washington is a place many happily and willingly call home or their sanctuary.
In terms of other well-knowns, Washington state was one of the first to legalize cannabis for recreational use nearly a decade ago (2012 to be exact). As long as you are 21 years old or older and reside in the state, you can privately partake in the consumption of cannabis without any legal ramifications. This has been an appeal to many across the country, with some actually moving to the state for this reason.
In 2021, and with the dawn of a new administration in the White House, marijuana looks to have a very bright few years ahead. We’ve already seen an emergence of pot stocks and hometown dispensaries budding up all around the United States and the rest of North America, and that only looks to continue into the near future.
If you’re in the mood to finally take the leap into using cannabis, now could be a great time to learn more about this wonderful plant and its many healing and rejuvenating properties.
What is it used for mainly in 2021?
Cannabis was once thought only to be good for “getting high.” There has been a plethora of scientific research giving us a better understanding of this miracle plant. It has been used to treat Cancer, Epilepsy, Seizures, Glaucoma, PTSD, Multiple Sclerosis, Inflammation, and even Alzheimer’s disease. In 2021 after a rough 2020, many have been using it as a healthier way to indulge at home, protecting themselves from the ongoing pandemic. Instead of frequent alcohol consumption, there has been a larger shift towards the consumption of cannabis as it has been stated to be less harmful to vital organs like the heart and liver. Alcohol also creates a lot of inflammation within the body, whereas cannabis reportedly fights inflammation.
Best places to buy it in 2021?
The best places to purchase your cannabis are from state-licensed retailers in Washington. Purchasing weed through private means(aka black-market) is still illegal and should be avoided at all costs. Make sure to do your due diligence when seeking reputable dispensaries as there are “pop-up shops” that claim being licensed but are not, and purchasing from them could result in a hefty fine or even jail time.
Per WeedMaps, Medical marijuana patients may purchase and possess up to:
- 3 ounces of marijuana, or 85 grams;
- 48 ounces, or 1.36 kilograms of marijuana-infused products in solid form;
- 1.69 gallons, or 6.4 liters of marijuana-infused products in liquid form, or;
- 21 grams of marijuana concentrate.
Washington state cannabis Legislation in 2021
As far as growing and cultivation of marijuana for personal use, this is still illegal. Washington cannabis laws are more liberal than other states, but there are still many restrictions, such as not being able to consume it in “public view”. The most notable push in the cannabis space in Washinton state is a bill for home cultivation.
Conclusion
Washington is a great place to visit and, for many, is one of the best places to call home due to its stance on cannabis consumption. With 2021 being a year of progression, it looks like the state of cannabis in Washington will only continue to shine.
Benefits of Medical Marijuana
Could CBD Help Fight Severe Cases Of COVID-19? [VIDEO]
Scientists are now investigating how the inflammatory properties of CBD could treat the cytokine storm that comes along during severe cases of Covid-19 infections. According to research, there are a few strains of cannabis that are worth looking at. Watch this video to learn more.
Cannabis Business
Social Equity Partners is Available For Arizona Applicants
With the passage of prop 207, legal cannabis sales for recreational purposes become a new norm for Arizona residents. The legal cannabis market is a multi-billion dollar industry with a projected worth of $73 billion globally by 2027. That’s why it is important for local residents of Arizona to look for partnerships that benefit local communities within Arizona instead of foreign corporations.
Social Equity Partners’ mission is to assist Arizona residents who were convicted of non-violent cannabis felonies to apply for adult-use marijuana dispensary and cultivation establishment licenses through the program offered by Social Equity Partners. Their goal is to offer Arizona residents with cannabis convictions extensive support in receiving a license and establishing a cannabis business through the Social Equity Program. The founder Thomas Lopez was convicted in 2001 by the State of Arizona with a felony for marijuana possession. He understands the obstacles of what it takes to have personal and professional growth after a criminal conviction which is why he founded Social Equity Partners.
Under the ELEVATE brand label, one of the services that Social Equity Partners offers is access to their fully conceptualized dispensary. ELEVATE is a boutique dispensary with the aim to modernize and deliver the highest-quality marijuana products, with locations planned for Sunnyslope, Glendale and Tempe. ELEVATE aims to serve the local communities of Arizona as a small independent business that keeps money in the community instead of generating profits for foreign corporations while forgetting about the concerns of the local citizens.
Applicants will receive assistance with developing a broad web presence, social media campaigns, and professional branding once accepted into partnering with Social Equity Partners. They will also have access to their pool of local investors who are local community members looking to provide capital for starting dispensaries that benefit local residents instead of funneling money into corporations.
Social Equity Partners will be there to offer assistance during the application process for Arizona residents who are applying with felony cannabis convictions by helping them complete the application, create a compelling business plan, and verify financial requirements. The goal for Social Equity Partners is to ensure that all funding remains local and stays in the community. With this partnership, they believe that applicants have a chance to positively impact their neighborhoods and take part in reinvigorating local economies with locally-based investors’ support.
With a partnership like Social Equity Partners, applicants will have access to full support from land-use lawyers, Realtors, and permitting specialists to help with identifying a site for your cannabis business. Their real estate brokers and lawyers understand the legal requirements for zoning laws for spaces all over Arizona and will help assist partners with finding the right property for their needs. Their partnership increases the likelihood of eligibility for the Social Equity Ownership Program with their proven funding and business plans already in place.
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