Pubdate: Wed, 07 Jul 2010 Source: Signal, The (Santa Clarita, CA) Copyright: 2010 The Signal Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/942n6o2y Website: http://www.the-signal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4221 Author: Jonathan Randles COUNTY OKS BAN ON POT SHOPS Health: Vote Comes As Cities Throughout Southern California Also Ban Medical Marijuana Facilities County supervisors officially banned marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County during a meeting Tuesday. The ban was approved out of a concern that such dispensaries - which have been ejected from many cities in Los Angeles County - might flee in mass numbers to unincorporated areas to set up shop. The city of Santa Clarita passed an ordinance banning dispensaries in 2007. An official with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said pot-dispensing locations tend to draw crime and violence. "(Dispensaries) are turning a lot of money and have attracted the attention of armed robbers," Assistant District Attorney Jacquelyn Lacey said. "Where there are armed robbers, there will be a loss of life. (The ordinance is) not a judgment on medical marijuana use, but saves the county residents from any crime that a dispensary would bring." But several people, many of whom either use or own dispensaries, said the marijuana shops are safe so long as they are run properly. The ban, they said, would only make it more difficult for people who need marijuana to get their medication. Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who voted for the ban, said an ordinance might be unnecessary because it wouldn't stop illegal dispensaries from opening. Officials haven't approved opening a dispensary in the county for years, he said. "The issue is whether our regulations are sufficient to regulate those who want to play by the rules, and I think the answer is yes." Yaroslavsky said he has had terminally sick friends whose pain has been eased by consuming marijuana. "I hope we don't make it harder for those people facing terminal illnesses from getting the type of assistance they need to address their quality-of-life issues in their closing days," he said at the meeting. The ban passed on a 5-0 vote. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D