PICO RIVERA - City Council members faced no opposition at Tuesday's meeting when they approved an ordinance banning medicinal marijuana dispensaries in the city. The permanent ban comes two years after an initial freeze on dispensaries, which was meant to allow city staff time to assess the effects of the establishments on the community. "This one would be prohibition," City Attorney Arnold Alvarez-Glasman said. "The federal law is quite clear that the use of marijuana is prohibited." Medicinal marijuana dispensaries were approved in California by Proposition 215, or the Compassionate Use Act, which states that seriously ill residents of California have access to marijuana to manage pain and increase appetite. [continues 299 words]
Ruling In Favor Of The School District Could Lead To Slippery Slope Of Lost Rights And Increased Risk Of Censorship. As the Supreme Court reviews the case of one Alaskan high schooler who says his right to free speech was violated by his principle, one of Pepperdine's own will be waiting anxiously for a ruling. School of Law Dean Ken Starr acted as counsel in a case now known as the "Bong Hits for Jesus" case, in which Joseph Frederick, then a high school senior, was suspended for raising a banner off campus, but during school hours. The case has the potential to become a major decision for or against the rights of students to exercise free speech. [continues 609 words]
