---

 [ 420 FILE ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=370)

#  LA County Supervisors Pass $30,000 Per Day Fines For Illegal Cannabis

January 12 2022

Written by ELIZABETH MARCELLINO.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

CANNABIS ANALYSIS - Fines for cannabis grow operations and illegal dispensaries in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County will soon be set at up to $30,000 per day, based on a vote by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

The board voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance that includes the new penalties. Another vote will be required to formally adopt the ordinance, but that is largely an administrative matter.

Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Sheila Kuehl co-authored the motion recommending the new ordinance, which Barger had championed in order to crack down on massive grow operations in the Antelope Valley.

Those operations have diminished and contaminated water supplies with dangerous chemicals, posed public safety threats to neighbors and increased the risk of wildfires, Barger said.

“Illegal grows, though, are not just occurring in the open spaces of the Antelope Valley. Homes are being gutted and converted to indoor grows to grow hundreds of plants,” Barger said.

“This motion is not about making cannabis illegal. This motion is about protecting the consumer and the community against the unforeseen impact of illegal cannabis cultivation.”

Kuehl said she was in full agreement.

“Large-scale illegal cannabis operations cause huge public safety and environmental safety concerns,” Kuehl said. “It includes water theft, damage to our fire hydrants, just stealing water to make this happen. This water is a great loss to our communities that are imminently threatened by wildfires.”

Months ago, Barger had sought criminal penalties but encountered resistance among her colleagues, who found the plan out of sync with the county’s criminal justice reforms.

Supervisor Hilda Solis was sympathetic to the need for stricter civil penalties.

“We have 30-plus illegal dispensaries operating in the unincorporated area of East Los Angeles alone,” Solis said. “I know our residents are going to be thrilled to finally have some teeth in this enforcement.”

The county has long worked at cracking down on unauthorized dispensaries but have compared the process to a game of “whac-a-mole” in which one dispensary is knocked down only to see another open up elsewhere.

While dispensaries are illegal in unincorporated areas, those communities sometimes abut areas where legal dispensaries operate freely, sometimes two to a block.

In July, at the urging of Supervisor Janice Hahn, the board voted to reconsider its broad ban on the cultivation, manufacture, testing and distribution of the drug for anything other than personal use.

Hahn said Tuesday that a county work group charged with making a new set of recommendations for legal cannabis retail growth, regulation and enforcement had completed its work in December.

“I do know that providing a legal pathway for people to grow, produce, sell cannabis can help in some way to tackle the illegal market,” Hahn said.

“Hopefully, we’re going to be voting soon on the idea of legally providing options for cannabis businesses in unincorporated county (areas).”

California voted to legalize the recreational use of cannabis in 2016 and legal recreational sales began in January 2018.

In October 2017, a county work group generated a report including dozens of recommendations on how to regulate cannabis retailing, production and distribution.

Hahn was originally among those who shelved that report and chose to keep the ban in place. Tuesday, she noted that lifting the ban could potentially be a source of tax revenue.

*(Elizabeth Marcellino is a Freelance Writer/Wire Service Reporter for City News Service where this story was featured.)*

 [ ![save up to 4000 on used evs](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20ev%20ad2.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad")

 [ ![Donna Tryfman](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/Donna-Tryfman-Ad-Final-Complete-Border-White-Margin.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1")

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![David DeJute Campaign](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/DejuteAd.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/111 "David DeJute Campaign")

 [ ![Pay Water Bill Help](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20-%20cares-ad.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)")

 [ ![Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/reitano%20vertical%20rework.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/112 "Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col")

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Message

[![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/420FILE/420map-button.png)](https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1aJKR8O-8BWOb9uR7p_2UmapNTL6n154B&ll=34.08274658817956%2C-118.34514801441333&z=11) [![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/420FILE/pot-power-logo.png)](https://podbay.fm/podcast/716402907/e/1380917940)

![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/420FILE/use-cannabis-responsibly.png)

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/1c/072d-1c016ddf.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33319:when-the-last-minute-power-play-failed-sacramento-finally-ran-out-of-time&catid=375)

### [When the Last-Minute Power Play Failed: Sacramento Finally Ran Out of Time](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33319:when-the-last-minute-power-play-failed-sacramento-finally-ran-out-of-time&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gavin Newsom came to the final days of his final regular legislative session with one more major problem…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4d/073e-4dc54bff.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33336:may-day-international-workers-day-a-major-us-holiday-ignored-by-the-media&catid=398)

### [May Day/International Workers Day, a Major US Holiday Ignored By The Media](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33336:may-day-international-workers-day-a-major-us-holiday-ignored-by-the-media&catid=398)

PLANNING WATCH - Monday, September 7, 2026, was Labor Day, a holiday only celebrated in the United States and Canada as…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4e/072i-4e4914dd.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33314:olympics-la28s-drip-drip-drip-tactics-leave-los-angeles-holding-the-bag&catid=312)

### [Olympics: LA28’s Drip‑Drip‑Drip Tactics Leave Los Angeles Holding the Bag](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33314:olympics-la28s-drip-drip-drip-tactics-leave-los-angeles-holding-the-bag&catid=312)

NICK'S VIEW - Wonderland Los Angeles, a global symbol of dreams, myths, and possibilities, will take center stage at th…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/e7/072b-e7b222d1.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33321:1-billion-later-congress-comes-knocking-los-angeles-homelessness-machine-faces-its-day-of-reckoning&catid=396)

### [$1 Billion Later, Congress Comes Knocking: Los Angeles’ Homelessness Machine Faces Its Day of Reckoning](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33321:1-billion-later-congress-comes-knocking-los-angeles-homelessness-machine-faces-its-day-of-reckoning&catid=396)

THE BOTTOM LINE - For years, Los Angeles taxpayers have been told the same thing about homelessness: Give us more money…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/a2/072a3-a2caec61.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33323:why-are-major-skid-row-projects-invisible&catid=312)

### [Why Are Major Skid Row Projects Invisible?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33323:why-are-major-skid-row-projects-invisible&catid=312)

SKID ROW - A few weeks ago, a portion of my Title VI Civil Rights complaint against the City of Los Angeles was accepte…

---

##  [ 420 FILE ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=370)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/068p.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33270:best-dispensaries-in-new-buffalo-in-2026-5-stores-you-should-visit&catid=370)### [Best Dispensaries in New Buffalo in 2026 \[5 Stores You Should Visit\]](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33270:best-dispensaries-in-new-buffalo-in-2026-5-stores-you-should-visit&catid=370)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2026/046r.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32869:acapulco-gold-feminized-seeds-complete-growing-guide&catid=370)### [Acapulco Gold Feminized Seeds: Complete Growing Guide](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32869:acapulco-gold-feminized-seeds-complete-growing-guide&catid=370)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2026/043n.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32813:how-legal-delivery-changed-the-way-cities-buy-cannabis&catid=370)### [How Legal Delivery Changed the Way Cities Buy Cannabis](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32813:how-legal-delivery-changed-the-way-cities-buy-cannabis&catid=370)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2026/029u.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32560:5-simple-thc-drink-recipes-youll-love&catid=370)### [5 Simple THC Drink Recipes You’ll Love](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32560:5-simple-thc-drink-recipes-youll-love&catid=370)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2026/029o.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32552:taxing-illegality-city-halls-dangerous-surrender-on-marijuana-enforcement&catid=370)### [Taxing Illegality: City Hall’s Dangerous Surrender on Marijuana Enforcement](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32552:taxing-illegality-city-halls-dangerous-surrender-on-marijuana-enforcement&catid=370)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>