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The fifth draft of Los Angeles' proposed medical marijuana ordinance (the first draft was submitted in April of 2008) will be discussed at a joint city council meeting this morning at 8:30 a.m. Since 4th draft,
which we saw in late October
, was released, some changes have been made. Most notably, the City Attorney's office "deleted the unnecessary requirement that collective members provide their names to the City as part of the registration process," says a letter to the City Council. "Their names will continue to be maintained in the collective's own books and records."
Additionally, language has been clarified in reference to edibles. In the previous draft, it appeared edibles marijuana products were verboten. That's not the case, says the City Attorney's Office; rather, the sale of edibles--just like the sale of any medical marijuana--will be illegal. That's because when going to a dispensary, you are a not a customer, but a member of the non profit.
Other changes include street-side visual aspects, such as signs and barred windows. Instead of requiring bars on the exterior (ugly!), they will be required on the interior. All signs, inside and outside that are viewable from the street can not be lighted. That appears to mean no more neon cannabis signs.
The law would ban most dispensaries that are already open. Only businesses that were legally in operation prior to a November 2007 date will be given 180 days to apply for new permits. Hundreds of others that opened after will be forced to shut down.
The full letter and draft ordinance is embedded below.
