Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
City Council Likely to Extend Marijuana Dispensary Moratorium
Photo by TheTruthAbout... via Flickr
As the federal policing agencies back off from raiding medical marijuana dispensaries in California, the Los Angeles City Council today will vote to extend a 2007 moratorium banning new herb storefronts until a they come up with a plan that will better regulate them. From today's council agenda (.pdf):
RESOLVE to EXTEND the provisions of Ordinance No. 179027 imposing temporary interim regulations prohibiting any person or entity from establishing a Medical Marijuana Dispensary, and prohibiting any person or entity from operating a Medical Marijuana Dispensary, for a second and final six-month period ending on September 14, 2009, inasmuch as the appropriate City agencies and officials are exercising due diligence and actively working towards the adoption of the appropriate land use regulatory controls.
Back when the moratorium was approved, Councilman Dennis Zine said the “goal is to bring the sale of medicinal marijuana under control and regulated by a City entity so that distribution is safe and accessible to people that truly need medicinal cannabis to improve their quality of life. The purpose of this interim ordinance is to protect not only the right of patients to access the medications that they need, but also to rid the current distribution facilities of abuses that harm the areas surrounding the dispensary sites.”
Furthermore, today's resolution (.pdf) mentions how over zealous marketing and relaxed attitudes around schools was one of the issues that brought this to the city's attention.
The Los Angeles Police Department has received complaints from neighbors, business owners, and concerned citizens regarding the negative impacts of dispensaries, including flyers, leaflets and stickers advertising dispensaries being placed on school grounds; smoking marijuana outdoors within 1,000 feet from schools; operating near sensitive uses, and constant activity around dispensaries at all hours.
The original 2007 moratorium was easily passed and is likely to be approved today.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
