On Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, Cat Packer, center, speaks to the L.A. City Council before being confirmed as executive director of the newly formed Department of Cannabis Regulation. Robert Ahn, on left, and Philip Mercado, on right, both were also confirmed Wednesday as part of the newly formed five-person Cannabis Commission that will oversee the issuance of permits to marijuana businesses. (Courtesy L.A. City Council President Herb Wesson’s office/Betsy Annas)