Project Overview
Los Angeles County is proposing a program to license and regulate commercial cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas of the County. This effort follows the Board of Supervisors’ February 15, 2022, direction to develop the program.
The County has prepared three key documents for public review and consideration:
- Proposed Title 8 Cannabis Business Ordinance: Establishes licensing and operating requirements and a Cannabis Social Equity Program.
- Proposed Title 22 Zoning Ordinance: Identifies where cannabis businesses could operate and establishes land-use and distance-buffer requirements.
- Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR): Evaluates the program’s potential environmental effects and identifies measures to reduce impacts, as required by the California Quality Act (CEQA).
The program will require Board of Supervisors’ approval before it can take effect.
CONTACT US
For questions or comments about the
Proposed Commercial Cannabis Regulatory Program:
LA County Office of Cannabis Management
320 W. Temple St. Room G-10,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Title 8 Amendments: Cannabis Business Ordinance
The County has developed proposed amendments to Title 8 (Consumer Protection, Business and Wage Regulations) of the County Code to establish licensing and operating requirements for commercial cannabis businesses in unincorporated Los Angeles County. The proposed Cannabis Business Ordinance would regulate the sale, cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and distribution of adult-use and medicinal cannabis and cannabis products.
The proposed ordinance would also establish a Cannabis Social Equity Program to support business opportunities for people adversely affected by past cannabis criminalization policies. Together with existing Public Health and Fire Department requirements, these regulations are intended to protect community health and safety.
Title 22 Amendments: Planning and Zoning Ordinance
The County has developed proposed amendments to Title 22 (Planning and Zoning) of the County Code to identify where commercial cannabis businesses could operate in unincorporated Los Angeles County. The proposed Zoning Ordinance identifies eligible commercial, commercial-only mixed-use, industrial, and institutional zones and establishes distance buffers from youth-oriented uses and between cannabis retailers. These and other requirements are intended to promote compatibility with surrounding uses and protect community health and safety.
The Commercial Cannabis Eligible Areas Map shows where different types of cannabis businesses could be permitted under the proposed amendments.
Click the image below to view an interactive map of Proposed Cannabis Business Permit Eligibility Areas in Unincorporated Los Angeles County.
Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
The County has prepared a Final Program EIR to evaluate the proposed commercial cannabis program’s potential environmental effects in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The report identifies measures to avoid or reduce environmental impacts that would be incorporated into the program’s requirements if approved.
The Final Program EIR includes responses to comments received during the Draft EIR public review period. It informs the public and County decision-makers about the proposal’s environmental effects and supports consideration of the program. Completion of the report does not constitute program approval.
Community Outreach
The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) conducted extensive public outreach to inform development of the proposed commercial cannabis program and its environmental review. Opportunities to participate included:
- Community Meetings and Briefings: OCM held community meetings, targeted presentations, and stakeholder briefings, including in-person meetings across the County and online sessions. Participants could ask questions and share concerns about business locations, distance buffers, operations, public safety, and enforcement.
- Public Comment Periods: Three comment periods between October 2024 to March 2026 gathered more than 400 written and verbal comments on the proposed regulatory framework, the scope of the environmental review, and the Draft Program EIR. Responses to Draft EIR comments are included in Chapter 9 of the Final Program EIR.
These outreach activities and comment periods have concluded. Community members can continue to provide input through the upcoming Regional Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors hearings.
Ordinance Amendment Process
- Best Practice Research
- Conduct best practice research on cannabis-related regulatory requirements.
- Develop Draft Ordinance Amendments
- Develop and draft proposed rules and regulations for the Commercial Cannabis Business Permit Program.
- Public Review Period
- Release the proposed rules and regulations for public review and feedback.
- Public meetings are held to receive comments on the draft documents. County reviews and revises amendments, as needed.
- Planning Commission & Board Hearings
- The Commercial Cannabis Program, including the Title 22 amendments and Final EIR, is presented to the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) for their recommendation. Once approved by the RPC, the Commercial Cannabis Program is presented to the Board of Supervisors for consideration and adoption.
EIR Process
- NOP and Scoping
- NOP is released starting a 30-day public review and comment period. Public meetings are held to receive comments on the scope and content of the EIR. Comments are considered when preparing the Draft EIR.
- Draft EIR
- Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Draft EIR is released, starting a 45-day public review and comment period. Public meetings are held to receive comments on the adequacy and accuracy of the Draft EIR. County reviews and addresses comments when preparing the Final EIR.
- Final EIR
- Final EIR is released. The Commercial Cannabis Program, including the Final EIR and ordinance amendments, is presented to the RPC for their recommendation. Once approved by the RPC, the Commercial Cannabis Program is presented at a Board hearing for consideration and certification of the Final EIR and adoption of the Commercial Cannabis Program.
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