Regular meetings are held the first and third Thursdays of the month at 2:00 p.m. Regular meetings will be held at Figueroa Plaza, 201 N Figueroa St, 9th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012 when possible, or at City Hall, 200 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90012.
BLACC invites you to a critical special meeting of the Los Angeles Cannabis Regulation Commission on Wednesday, March 20th, where Cannabis Taxes will be the central topic of discussion.
This meeting is a pivotal opportunity for social equity operators, advocates, and stakeholders to voice our concerns about the financial burdens of taxation on equity businesses and advocate for tax reforms that promote sustainability and growth in our community.
Why This Meeting Matters:
High tax burdens continue to threaten the viability of social equity businesses.
The legal market struggles to compete with unregulated operations due to excessive taxation.
Your participation ensures decision-makers hear directly from the impacted community.
What You Can Do:
Attend in person and bring fellow entrepreneurs.
Prepare a brief statement on how taxation affects your business.
Submit written comments if you cannot attend.
Together, we must demand policies that reduce excessive cannabis taxes and create a fair, sustainable market for social equity businesses. Your voice is essential in this fight.
Talking Points for Cannabis Regulation Commission – 1-Minute Public Comment
Option 1: Strong Demand for Action (Most Assertive)
"Good morning, Commissioners. My name is [Your Name], and I am a licensed social equity cannabis operator in Los Angeles. Right now, my business is being suffocated by unfair taxation, outrageous penalties, and a complete failure of enforcement against unlicensed dispensaries. While I struggle to keep my doors open, illegal shops flourish in our neighborhoods, selling untested products without paying a dime in taxes. Social equity businesses are drowning under 40-50% in taxes and penalties, while illicit operators have a free pass. We demand immediate enforcement—shut them down, fine the landlords, and protect the businesses this City claimed to support. We also need immediate tax amnesty for past-due liabilities and a five-year tax holiday for social equity operators moving forward. Without these measures, we will not survive. If the City does not act, it will lose the very businesses this program was meant to help. Thank you."
Option 2: Public Safety & Consumer Protection Focus
"Commissioners, my name is [Your Name], and as a social equity operator, I am deeply concerned about public safety in our communities. Unlicensed dispensaries are operating without oversight, selling untested and potentially dangerous products. The City is failing to enforce its own laws, putting consumers at risk while legal businesses like mine struggle under 40-50% in taxes and penalties. Why are we being penalized while criminals profit? I urge this Commission to demand aggressive enforcement against unlicensed shops, provide tax amnesty for struggling social equity operators, and implement a five-year tax holiday to level the playing field. We are committed to compliance and community investment—help us stay in business. Thank you."
Option 3: Economic Fairness & Equity Emphasis
"My name is [Your Name], and I am a social equity operator fighting for economic survival in an industry stacked against us. The promise of social equity is being broken as we face crushing taxes and penalties while illegal dispensaries flourish. Social equity businesses are paying 40-50% in taxes and penalties, while illicit operators pay zero. This is economic injustice. We cannot compete under these conditions, and without relief, we will be forced out of business. The City must take action now—implement tax amnesty for outstanding debts, a five-year tax holiday, and step up enforcement against illicit operators. Social equity businesses were meant to have a chance, but right now, we are being set up to fail. The time for action is now. Thank you."
Would you like any refinements or additional points included?
Talking Points for Concerned Citizens of South Los Angeles – 1-Minute Public Comment
Option 1: Public Safety & Health Risks (For residents concerned about safety and illegal dispensaries)
"Good evening, Commissioners. My name is [Your Name], and I am a concerned resident of South Los Angeles. Illegal cannabis dispensaries are flooding our neighborhoods, and the City is failing to take action. These unlicensed shops sell untested and unsafe products, putting our families, friends, and neighbors at risk. We’ve seen increased crime, robberies, and unsafe activity around these locations, yet enforcement is nonexistent. Meanwhile, legal dispensaries that follow the rules are struggling to survive. This is unacceptable. I urge you to demand that the City shut down illegal shops immediately and enforce the laws that are already in place. Additionally, the City must provide social equity tax relief, including a five-year tax holiday and tax amnesty, to ensure these businesses have a fighting chance. Public safety should be the priority, not allowing bad actors to profit while our community suffers. Thank you."
Option 2: Economic Fairness & Community Investment (For residents concerned about supporting local businesses and jobs)
"Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I live in South Los Angeles. Our community was promised economic opportunities through the Social Equity Program, but instead, we see illegal dispensaries thriving while Black-owned businesses are struggling to stay afloat. These legal businesses employ local residents, pay taxes, and reinvest in our neighborhoods, yet they are being crushed by high taxes and lack of enforcement. Illegal dispensaries don’t pay taxes, don’t follow regulations, and don’t contribute to our community. The City must step up enforcement and provide social equity tax relief, including tax amnesty and a five-year tax holiday, so these businesses can reinvest in jobs and growth. Without action, we will lose the businesses that were supposed to create opportunities in our neighborhoods. We need fairness. Thank you."
Option 3: Holding the City Accountable (For residents demanding action from City officials)
"Good evening, Commissioners. My name is [Your Name], and I am here today because South Los Angeles deserves better. The City has allowed unlicensed dispensaries to overrun our community, creating a public safety hazard while driving legal businesses out of existence. Where is the accountability? We have laws in place, but they mean nothing if they are not enforced. We need immediate action—shut down illegal dispensaries, hold landlords accountable, and support the legal businesses that are following the rules. Additionally, the City must approve social equity tax relief measures, including tax amnesty and a five-year tax holiday, to help these businesses survive. If the City fails to act, then they are failing our community. We deserve safe, legal businesses, not a free-for-all that puts us at risk. Thank you."
COMMISSION ORDER OF BUSINESS TO SUBMIT WRITTEN MATERIALS
4.1 The Commission President shall have the power to set the Commission’s agenda.
However, agenda scheduling is delegated to the Commission Staff.
4.3 Members of the public who wish to submit written materials on agendized items shall comply with the following to ensure that the Commission has ample opportunity to review them:
a. Regular Submissions. All materials must be received by the Commission Executive Assistant no later than by 2:00 p.m. Thursday of the week prior to the week of the Commission meeting. Materials must be delivered electronically to CannabisCommission@lacity.org. The Commission Executive Assistant will send these submissions to the Commission.
b. Secondary Submissions. All submissions received after 2:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the Commission meeting up to 2:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the Commission meeting shall be limited to ten (10) single-sided pages including exhibits and must be delivered electronically to CannabisCommission@lacity.org. Photographs do not count toward the page limitation.
c. Day-of Submissions. All submissions within 48-hours of the Commission meeting up to and including the day of the meeting, must be a hard copy submission. Twelve (12) paper copies of the submission must be given to the Commission Executive Assistant prior to the start of the meeting. Electronic submissions will not be accepted within this time period. Day-of submissions may not be more than two (2) single-sided pages, including exhibits, and must include the agenda item number on the cover or first page. Photographs do not count toward the page limitation. The materials will be distributed to the Commission and will be available to the public.