Council Members Voice Support for Proposition D
City Councilmen Bill Rosendahl and Paul Koretz voiced their support of Proposition D Tuesday morning at the Los Angeles Civic Center.
Proposition D is a medical marijuana measure which will appear on the May 21 ballot.
If passed, the bill will regulate medical marijuana businesses by allowing only 135 of businesses that have operated since September 2007 to continue to operate.
These businesses must have previously registered with the city and will also need to continue to meet local requirements in order to stay open.
Taxes on medical marijuana businesses will also increase from $50.00 to $60.00 for every $1,000 earned.
Loss in tax revenue due to the closure of some medical marijuana businesses will be reversed through the increased tax rate for the businesses that continue to operate.
Supporters of Propositon D believe it will preserve the positive benefits of medical marijuana dispensaries while decreasing its negative effects.
Those who need marijuana for medical reasons will still have access to it, and the revenue created through its sale can be used to fund police, fire, health and other services.
The proposition will also control the existence of dispensaries which fulfills neighborhoods' need for fewer dispensaies.
The Proposition is supported by former District Attorney Gil Garcetti and a majority of the Los Angeles City Council.
Supporters have adopted the phrase "protecting patients, protecting neighborhoods" to describe the proposition.
Proposition D is being opposed by Measure F, which proposes fewer limits to dispensaries.
If passed, Measure F would allow all 1,400 current dispensaries to remain open without limiting the number of dispensaries.
Measure F limits the hours of dispensaries to 10 am-10 pm, whereas Prop D limits dispensary hours to 10am-8pm, which would presumably increase neighborhood safety at night.
Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel discussed Measure F, saying "Prop F's proposed self-audits are unreliable and unenforceable... It is our opinion they offer no value in verifying dispensaries compliance with existing or proposed laws."
Proposition D proposes higher regulation of medical marijuana dispensaries, whereas Measure F opposes the regulation of dispensaries.
The opposing measures will be on the May 21 ballot.
This is really upsetting