LA City Council moves to close most medical pot shops

After months of debate, the Los Angeles City Council Tuesday tentatively approved an ordinance to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries. The new law will force hundreds to close.

The ordinance capped the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in the city at 70 — although the L.A. City Council may allow about 140 to operate under a grandfather clause.

“It’s a balance to provide those people who truly need medical marijuana and to protecting local neighborhoods," said Eastside Councilman Jose Huizar.

Huizar said he’s received complaints of crime around pot shops — and reports that some of them sell to kids.

Westside Councilman Bill Rosendahl — who cast one of only three no votes — said critics have exaggerated the problems with dispensaries.

“I went to half a dozen clinics... and except for one person in one area, nobody seemed to have a problem with it," said Rosendahl. "The truth of the matter is they are making a mountain out of a molehill here today.”

The ordinance prohibits pot shops from operating within 1,000 feet of schools, churches and parks. They can’t open across the street or alley from homes or apartments.

This means that every one of the 14 in Venice must close.

Pure Life Alternatives Wellness Center in Mid-City must move because it’s 140 feet from a school. Its manager, Yani Bolanos, said that during four years of operation, she’s never received a complaint.

She’s angry the council failed to regulate pot shops sooner.

“They’re the ones that created the mess that’s out there now," said Bolanos. She blamed the council for allowing hundreds of dispensaries to open — many illegally. "I’m doing a good job. Why should I be punished?”

The new law means that many medical marijuana patients — patients like Michael Leavitt — will likely need to travel to industrial areas to get pot.

“In order to placate some NIMBYS, which are ‘not in my backyard’ people, they’ve gone ahead and made it inconvenient for us patients to achieve what makes quality of life for us," said Leavitt.

The medical marijuana debate has often generated colorful exchanges.

During the latest back-and-forth, Councilman Tony Cardenas of the San Fernando Valley wondered whether L.A. should get into the business of medical pot.

“What if we had a public option," referring to the national health care debate. "Is there anything that precludes the city of Los Angeles actually having a dispensary where the government actually provides that product?”

The city attorney advised against it.

In the cavernous city council chambers, the marijuana gods spoke too. Thunder roared as Councilman Bernard Parks spoke.

“Whatever you want Mr. Parks, we’ll do it. Just make the noise stop," quipped Council President Eric Garcetti.

The ordinance imposes a slew of regulations on pot shops. They can only operate from ten in the morning to eight at night; they must employ security guards; they’re subject to police inspection.

They must operate as non-profits and submit to independent audits. And they’re not supposed to sell marijuana — only to accept cash and in-kind contributions for its growth and delivery.

Where’s the pot supposed to come from?

One of the architects of the law — Councilman Ed Reyes — ventured a response:

“It does refer to it, and it’s I think left rather vague, quite frankly," said Reyes.

The City Attorney and Los Angeles County District Attorney had indicated they’d wait until this ordinance passed before they shut down pot shops.

The city council will hear a second reading next week, then it’ll become law within 30 to 60 days.