Pubdate: Wed, 25 Jul 2012
Source: Orange County Register, The (CA)
Copyright: 2012 The Orange County Register
Contact:  http://www.ocregister.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/321
Author: Greg Risling

L.A. COUNCIL VOTES TO BAN POT SHOPS

LOS ANGELES - Unable to stop the spread of hundreds of medical pot 
shops, the City Council banned them Tuesday until the state's highest 
court weighs in.

The 14-0 vote drew an angry response from some medical marijuana 
advocates who attended the council meeting.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was ready to sign the ordinance, 
spokeswoman Vicki Curry said. The storefront ban would then go into 
effect after 30 days, possibly affecting as many as 900 dispensaries.

The city has fumbled with its medical marijuana laws for years, 
trying to provide safe and affordable access for legitimate patients 
while addressing worries by neighborhood groups that streets were 
being overrun by dispensaries and pot users.

"Relief is on the way," said Councilman Jose Huizar, who introduced 
the so-called "gentle ban."

At one point, the city ordered closure of the shops  a process that 
failed amid lawsuits and conflicting rulings by appellate courts.

This time, the city has a stronger case if faced with lawsuits by pot 
shop owners, city officials said. A recent appellate court ruling 
seems to support the new ordinance that defines a marijuana 
collective as three or fewer people.

"A judge could file an injunction but we think that is unlikely," 
said Jane Usher, an assistant city attorney.

Although marijuana sales are illegal under federal law, Californians 
voted in 1996 to approve its sale for medicinal use. Recently, the 
state Supreme Court said it would rule on whether local governments 
can ban marijuana clinics. A hearing has yet to be set by the high court.
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