Medical Marijuana Dispensary Regulation Approved for May Ballot
The Los Angeles City Council gave final approval on Tuesday to the third medical marijuana measure on the May 21 ballot. This ballot measure, if approved, will increase the sales tax on medical marijuana and permit only a limited number of dispensaries to remain open.
This vote evolved out of a controversy in Riverside, in which city lawmakers were attempting to ban dispensaries based on zoning laws. Pot shops argued that the existence of these dispensaries could be limited, but not banned completely.
Supporters of medical marijuana argue that Propostition 215, which allows medical marijuana patients to own and cultivate marijuana for personal use, prohibits bans on the dispensaries.
175 cities in California have already banned pot shops despite this objection. Those who oppose the new measure worry about its effects on California neighborhoods.
Councilman Jose Huizar voted against the measure, saying, "It will not protect neighborhoods from the proliferation of marijuana, whether over the counter or on the street, a sale is a sale."
The debate centers around whether or not the existence of marijuana dispensaries is helping or hurting California citizens.
Medical marijuana can be used legally in the state of California, but is illegal under federal law. The ballot measure proposed Tuesday attempts to find a compromise between the two sides.
this government should be more worried about the alcohol and cigs that are sold to our nation causing birth defects to our children. medical marijuana has never harmed a soul and will never. no matter what you guys do or say people are still going to smoke pot it is an individuals choice to do what he likes.