Pubdate: Tue, 02 Jan 2018
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2018 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Patrick McGreevy

STATE POT BUREAU READY TO ENFORCE CALIFORNIA'S NEW MARIJUANA LAWS
AS LICENSE APPLICATIONS FLOOD IN

The state has issued 104 licenses for retail stores to sell marijuana
for recreational use in California and 239 other applications for
those permits are pending, officials said Tuesday.

An official with the state Bureau of Cannabis Control added that the
agency is prepared to begin taking enforcement action against pot
shops that are not properly licensed.

"The bureau's enforcement team is ready to respond to any complaints
it receives and start doing compliance checks and site visits at any
time," said Alex Traverso, a spokesman for the bureau.

Selling marijuana without a license is a crime punishable by up to six
months in county jail and a fine of up to $500. Those convicted of
engaging in any marijuana business activity without a license will
also be subject to a civil penalty of up to three times the amount of
the license fee for each violation.

A new report issued Tuesday indicated the bureau has issued 478
temporary licenses to firms to test, distribute and sell medical and
recreational marijuana, which began Jan. 1 after voters approved a
legalization initiative, Proposition 64, in 2016. Businesses have
received 153 licenses to sell marijuana for medical use.

Another 1,458 firms have applied for licenses that are still being
processed.

The state Department of Food and Agriculture has separately issued 207
licenses to marijuana growers.
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MAP posted-by: Matt