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L.A. to Tell More than 400 Medical Marijuana Stores to Close
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Los Angeles' medical marijuana ordinance was signed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa last Friday, meaning city workers today began the process of informing unauthorized storefronts to close. "The letters will start going out Tuesday to more than 400 marijuana retailers in the city that are alleged to be in violation of the law, which prohibits the outlets from being within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, parks and other 'sensitive use' sites," explained the LA Weekly . The ordinance, which is being challenged with a lawsuit, becomes law next month and if shops are not closed by then, the city can take legal action. Of the 540 or so medical marijuana dispensaries within Los Angeles city limits, only 137 will allowed to stay put -- that's based on which stores were around before a 2007 moratorium on new facilities went into affect.
Meanwhile, two Orange County cities can keep medical marijuana store bans in place, a federal judge ruled today, according to the LA Times . Plaintiffs argued that bans in Costa Mesa and Lake Forest violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. U.S. District Judge Andrew Guilford ruled that access to marijuana was not covered by the act.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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