LOS ANGELES, March 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Cannabis Business Association (UCBA), the largest trade association of Proposition D compliant medical marijuana dispensaries operating legally within the City of Los Angeles is elated about the passing of Prop M. The authority granted to the City by Proposition M will allow the UCBA dispensaries to work collaboratively with industry and community stakeholders to develop a clear and unambiguous legal structure in which to operate.
Jerred Kiloh, UCBA President confirmed, “UCBA is inspired that patients, cannabis business owners and the people of California voted overwhelmingly to legalize cannabis for adults over the age 21. We are now looking forward to working with Los Angeles City Council to create a regulatory system that will allow for the continued growth of the industry and the opportunity to not only serve our medical patients, but to provide adults, 21-year-olds and over, with a safer alternative for recreation.”
UCBA Vice President and membership chair, Javier Montes, sees the passing of Prop M as an opportunity to increase ownership and participation in the cannabis industry. “Cannabis legalization is an important step for Los Angeles and the many communities that we serve. For many years the constant challenges for people of color to find a place in the semi regulated system created under Prop D, acted as a deterrent for ownership participation. We look forward to creating a path for increased participation for people of color and women.”
Now that the framework for taxation and business operations has been accepted by the voters, UCBA will be assisting the local officials to create a training and funding program to increase the number of women and minority owned cannabis businesses over the next few years. By working with the Cannabis Global Initiative (CGI), a cannabis communications firm managed by Wanda James, the first legally licensed African American to own a dispensary, UCBA continues our dedication to growing the number of legally operated businesses. “The excitement surrounding the cannabis industry has grown tremendously in communities of color. To harness that excitement and turn it into opportunity, for people that have been the most harmed by the war on drugs, is one of the most important factors in ending cannabis prohibition. We are very pleased that UCBA members are putting their effort behind this type of growth,” states James.
ABOUT UCBA
The UCBA Trade Association was founded in 2015 by the cannabis industry’s most distinguished leaders. Our association and its members are dedicated to providing the highest quality treatments to their patients and are focused on working to raise awareness and increase education of the market and its benefits. As the premiere association for the industry, the UCBA brings together the forerunners of this constantly evolving industry to serve as a voice for this often misrepresented trade through advocacy, education, and innovation.