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Palm Springs, CA

Assemblymember Greg Wallis’ AB 1448 to give local government greater ability to fight and recover funds from illegal cannabis growers passed the State Assembly today on a unanimous 52-0 vote.

“Illicit cannabis operators are also known for human trafficking, unlawful labor practices, water theft, illegal pesticide use, and environmental degradation as part of their operations. Local law enforcement agencies and code enforcement departments are on the front lines struggling to deal with the growth of illicit cannabis activities, and this bill gives them additional tools to fight for safety and quality of life in their communities,” Wallis said.

AB 1448 enhances local enforcement tools against illegal cannabis activities. In addition, AB 1448 allows a 50/50 state local split of the statutory penalties recovered in actions brought by local jurisdictions. This will provide a source of funds for locals to reinvest in additional illicit cannabis enforcement.

“Local police departments, county sheriffs and code enforcement departments are enforcing these laws, but they’re not receiving the penalties paid by the offenders. My bill gives half of the fines collected to these local governments that are doing the work of enforcing state laws,” Wallis said.

AB1448 now goes to the State Senate for consideration.

California voters made recreational cannabis legal in 2016 with Proposition 64, but since then the state and local jurisdictions have struggled to drive unlawful operators out of the cannabis market.