Pubdate: Mon, 10 Jun 2002
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2002 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Seema Mehta, Times Staff Writer

'HEAD SHOP' BAN NEAR SCHOOLS WEIGHED

The city of Los Angeles will move forward this week on a proposal to ban 
"head shops" near schools.

The city attorney's office and the planning department are expected to 
present a proposed ordinance to restrict such drug paraphernalia businesses 
within 500 feet of schools to a City Council committee Tuesday.

Council members also have suggested broadening the rule by applying it to 
"community facilities" such as parks and recreation centers. Parents and 
school officials welcomed the move to restrict stores that sell pipes for 
smoking marijuana and provocative posters and T-shirts.

"This is in kids' faces. It's promoting drugs to the kids," said Heather 
Evans, a parent liaison with Fairfax High School.

The move to ban such stores near schools was prompted by the opening of 
Melrose Smoke Shop across the street from Fairfax High's main entrance in 
March.

"I was shocked when I learned someone would have the audacity to open a 
head shop across the street from a school, and then I was doubly shocked 
when I learned that this was legal," said Councilman Jack Weiss, who 
represents the area and whose motion led to the drafting of the ordinance.

"We're going to plug this loophole."

Students from the 2,600-pupil school brought the matter to Weiss' 
attention. They have picketed the store and signed petitions against it.

People under 18 are not allowed in the store, but Evans said there are many 
high school seniors over 18 who might be willing to buy its wares for 
younger teenagers.

"They have from the tiniest pipes to the largest bongs basically to smoke 
drugs," Evans said. "They also have T-shirts promoting drug smoking and sex 
and decals with ... sleazy sex slogans."

Weiss added: "The issue here isn't should you be allowed to sell those 
items to consenting adults. The issue is why on earth should you be allowed 
to dangle this temptation right smack in front of a school."

Tigran Nersesyan, owner of the store, said, "My shop is legal," and 
declined further comment.

Indeed, the store would remain legal once the new rules are in place 
because the ban would apply only to new stores.

So the council, along with the West Hollywood City Council and the Los 
Angeles Unified School District, are urging property owner Ray Golbari to 
evict Nersesyan.

But Golbari said Friday that Nersesyan cannot be evicted because he has a 
five-year lease.

The Planning and Land Use Management Committee meeting is scheduled for 2 
p.m. on Tuesday in Room 1010 of Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring St.

Weiss hopes the ordinance will be approved by the end of June.
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