as a result of limited access to capital and
limited license opportunities provided by local
governments, these entrepreneurs are actually
finding it nearly impossible to participate in the
legal market.”
The company said it would launch an initiative
to support unlicensed, minority-owned
marijuana businesses as they become licensed.
That includes providing participants with free
training in licensing and compliance regulations,
professional support and coaching, and free
listing on the Weedmaps app for up to one year
once they obtain their license.
It said that “later this year” it would begin
requiring U.S. advertisers to provide a state
license number on their listing, and that it would
restrict the use of its point-of-sale system, online
orders, delivery logistics and other services to
licensed businesses exclusively.
“These enhancements to existing safeguards
on our platform will help patients and adult-
use consumers find cannabis retailers that have
provided evidence of state licensure,” Weedmaps
Chief Executive Chris Beals said in the news
release. “It also underscores our commitment to
working with lawmakers and regulators to foster
a flourishing legal market.”
Kunkel said competition from black-market
companies on Weedmaps has not been as big an
issue in other states, noting that Washington, for
example, has cracked down on unlicensed sellers.
“Today’s announcement is a step forward for
the legal California cannabis industry, which will
aid consumers in identifying licensed cannabis
businesses when looking to purchase safe
cannabis,” said Lori Ajax, chief of the Bureau of
Cannabis Control.
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