Dec 05 2011
Marijuana Dispensaries Uncertain Relationship with Cities
Opposition to medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles has been growing with every new store opening, bringing scrutiny from major area players. Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich recently brought suit against 9 LA Cannabis dispensaries, claiming they are violating state law by being within 600 feet of a school. The LA Times reports he has already sued 40 medical pot shops, about 10 of which went out of business. Meanwhile the LA City Council plans to debate a total ban on medical marijuana dispensaries. The LA Times reports the City Council is split on the issue, with 4 members supporting it, 5 against, and 5 undecided. Council members in favor of a ban cite recent court rulings that complicate regulation of dispensaries as a major reason to end storefront sales in the city. At issue is whether a city can regulate medical marijuana dispensaries at all, which operate under California state law. Recently, a 2nd District Court of appeals ruled that the city of Long Beach could not use a lottery to assign and limit permits for medical pot dispensaries because the city be would be, in essence, participating in the distribution of an illegal drug. The South Robertson Neighborhood Council President told the LA Times, “Having businesses that seem to be completely outside the jurisdiction of the city is maddening.” The East Hollywood neighborhood council on November 21st voted unanimously to support a ban by the City Council and neighborhood leaders in Eagle Rock, home to 15 dispensaries, are also on board. Last month an appeals court upheld the legality of Riverside’s ban on medical marijuana dispensaries, paving the way for similar actions around the state.
GUEST: Sarah Lovering, Development Officer with Marijuana Policy Project
Find out more at www.mmp.org.
One Response to “Marijuana Dispensaries Uncertain Relationship with Cities”
It’s more than fairly evident, and especially to those of us whose survival doesn’t depend on the continuation of Prohibition, that even if we could afford to put Narcs on every single corner, it is extremely likely that at least half of them would very soon become dealers themselves. So it begs the question: Why on God’s green earth do we continue as a nation to foolishly shoot ourselves in both feet?
An appeal to all Prohibitionists:
Most of us are aware by now that individuals who use illegal drugs are going to get high, ‘no matter what.’ So why do you not prefer they acquire them in stores that check IDs and pay taxes? Gifting the market in narcotics to ruthless criminals, foreign terrorists and corrupt law enforcement officials is seriously compromising our future. If you remotely believe that people will one day quit using any of these ‘at present’ illegal drugs, then you are exhibiting a degree of naivety parallel only with those poor deluded wretches who voluntarily drank the poisoned Kool-Aid in Jonestown.
Even if you cannot stand the thought of people using drugs, there is absolutely nothing you, or any government, can do to stop them. We have spent 40 years and over a trillion dollars on this dangerous farce. Practically everybody is now aware that Prohibition will not suddenly and miraculously start showing different results. So why do you wish to continue with a policy that has proven itself to be a poison in the veins of our once so proud & free nation? Do you actually think you may have something to lose If we were to start basing drug policy on science & logic instead of ignorance, hate and lies?
Maybe you’re a police officer, a prison guard or a local politician. Possibly you’re scared of losing employment, overtime-pay, the many kick-backs and those regular fat bribes. But what good will any of that do you once our society has followed Mexico over the dystopian abyss of dismembered bodies, vats of acid and marauding thugs carrying gold-plated AK-47s with leopard-skinned gunstocks?
Kindly allow us to forgo the next level of your sycophantic prohibition-engendered mayhem.
Prohibition Prevents Regulation : Legalize, Regulate and Tax!