In California, cannabis licensees impacted by the wildfire crisis affecting the Los Angeles area have been reminded they can request disaster relief from the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC).
California is no stranger to events such as wildfires, floods, earthquakes and winter storms. But Los Angeles has been severely tested during the wildfire crisis with so many residents and businesses being affected. Among them is the cannabis sector.
Licensees have been encouraged by the DCC to request disaster relief where a regulatory requirement can’t be met.
One of the issues is moving stock out of harm’s way as a proactive measure. After some earlier confusion, the DCC says licensees faced with an immediate wildfire threat were not required to contact the agency before moving cannabis or cannabis products as long as they are placed in a secure location where access is restricted to the licensee and their employees and contractors.
After moving products, the DCC must be notified that the cannabis has been moved and DCC staff must be able to access and inspect the location. Further details are available here.
Last week, the California Cannabis Industry Association said it stood in solidarity with impacted communities.
“Our hearts go out to all those affected, including our members, employees, and partners who are facing unimaginable challenges and hardship during this difficult time,” said the CCIA. “Wildfires continue to be a significant risk—not only to the health and safety of Californians, but to cannabis operators across all levels of the supply chain. We are deeply concerned about the immediate and long-term impacts on businesses and their employees, particularly those already navigating economic and regulatory hurdles.”
Most legal cultivation occurring in the greater Los Angeles area occurs indoors. Aside from the direct fire threat to buildings, a major threat is electricity supply. Without climate and watering control, indoor crops can quickly suffer. As for dispensaries, many not directly threatened by fire have remained open, but some have reported issues in receiving goods due to shipments from some vendors temporarily ceasing.
While for recreational users, the situation has been inconvenient; it’s a bigger issues for patients dependent on medicinal cannabis.
Something that appears to have worked out in favour for the industry are where communities have opted out of having cannabis establishments in their area. One of those is Los Angeles County, where retail (storefront and delivery), distribution, manufacturing, cultivation and even testing are prohibited.
