Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Supervisors in Los Angeles and Orange Counties moved in sync Tuesday to ban medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated territories.
The bans, affecting an area with 1.5 million people in Los Angeles and 120,000 in Orange County, were approved in 4-1 votes in both counties.
"Attracting crime and other nuisances, these facilities have a negative impact on the communities where they've operated - leading more than 100 cities and 9 counties in California to pass similar ordinances," said Supervisor Michael Antonovich, who authored the provision in Los Angeles County.
In Orange County, Supervisor Shawn Nelson voted against the measure because he said it would exacerbate the black market for the drug. In Los Angeles, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky was the lone no vote.
"This is not some sort of scheme or scam. This is not some sort of joke," Yaroslavsky said, noting that he had seen marijuana help friends afflicted with cancer.
Gary Kearns, a 59-year-old Los Angeles County resident suffering from AIDS, was among many members of the public who came to speak against the ban. "I submit to you that compassion is an element of successful public policy, and I would suggest that the intent of this ban is not compassionate," he said.
Yaroslavsky said that the board should instead focus on dispensaries that operate illegally without a permit and authored a motion to step up enforcement.
The measure, approved unanimously, directed county staff to take advantage of their ability to fine illegal dispensaries $1,000 a day. Although the county has used other tools in an attempt to close shops without a permit, assessing hefty fines has never been utilized, according to county staff.
"I'm going to say there's two bad actors," Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina told county staff. "There's the lousy marijuana suppliers who are illegally setting up and making all the medical marijuana look back and ... you all. If you would enforce the rules, these folks wouldn't be out there operating illegally."
Molina said her office has been flooded with calls from residents saying that the illegal dispensaries brought crime and blight.
"Why don't you use everything you have to get them the hell out of unincorporated areas?" Molina asked county staff. "I'm going to support the ban right now because you guys aren't assisting us in getting rid of the illegal operators. All of the residents are complaining, and, in my area, it's really bad."
County officials said a tally of illegal dispensaries was unavailable.
Another factor was the city of Los Angeles' recent aggressive push to shut down dispensaries that are illegal under a city ordinance that took effect four weeks ago, raising concern that dispensary owners would be searching for a new home.
In Orange County, the sheriff's department submitted a report that found dispensaries responsible for an uptick in robberies, burglaries, weapons violations and money laundering.
Orange County supervisors had never regulated medical marijuana. In Los Angeles County, Tuesday marked a change in course. The ban reversed the county's 4-year-old policy on the dispensaries, which are allowed with strict prohibitions on their location: They cannot be within 1,000 feet of churches, day-care centers, libraries, playgrounds, schools and other sensitive uses.
To date, the county has not approved a single dispensary in an unincorporated area. Two were rejected, and three are still pending.
The bans in both counties must be read again at a future meeting for final approval, and are expected to then go into effect at the end of the year.
• Thanks to G-Dog for submitting this article
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: bellinghamherald.com
Author: GARRETT THEROLF - Los Angeles Times
Copyright: 2010 McClatchy
Contact: bellinghamherald.com Contact Us
Website: 2 California counties move to ban medical marijuana dispensaries - Wire - Lifestyle - bellinghamherald.com
The bans, affecting an area with 1.5 million people in Los Angeles and 120,000 in Orange County, were approved in 4-1 votes in both counties.
"Attracting crime and other nuisances, these facilities have a negative impact on the communities where they've operated - leading more than 100 cities and 9 counties in California to pass similar ordinances," said Supervisor Michael Antonovich, who authored the provision in Los Angeles County.
In Orange County, Supervisor Shawn Nelson voted against the measure because he said it would exacerbate the black market for the drug. In Los Angeles, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky was the lone no vote.
"This is not some sort of scheme or scam. This is not some sort of joke," Yaroslavsky said, noting that he had seen marijuana help friends afflicted with cancer.
Gary Kearns, a 59-year-old Los Angeles County resident suffering from AIDS, was among many members of the public who came to speak against the ban. "I submit to you that compassion is an element of successful public policy, and I would suggest that the intent of this ban is not compassionate," he said.
Yaroslavsky said that the board should instead focus on dispensaries that operate illegally without a permit and authored a motion to step up enforcement.
The measure, approved unanimously, directed county staff to take advantage of their ability to fine illegal dispensaries $1,000 a day. Although the county has used other tools in an attempt to close shops without a permit, assessing hefty fines has never been utilized, according to county staff.
"I'm going to say there's two bad actors," Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina told county staff. "There's the lousy marijuana suppliers who are illegally setting up and making all the medical marijuana look back and ... you all. If you would enforce the rules, these folks wouldn't be out there operating illegally."
Molina said her office has been flooded with calls from residents saying that the illegal dispensaries brought crime and blight.
"Why don't you use everything you have to get them the hell out of unincorporated areas?" Molina asked county staff. "I'm going to support the ban right now because you guys aren't assisting us in getting rid of the illegal operators. All of the residents are complaining, and, in my area, it's really bad."
County officials said a tally of illegal dispensaries was unavailable.
Another factor was the city of Los Angeles' recent aggressive push to shut down dispensaries that are illegal under a city ordinance that took effect four weeks ago, raising concern that dispensary owners would be searching for a new home.
In Orange County, the sheriff's department submitted a report that found dispensaries responsible for an uptick in robberies, burglaries, weapons violations and money laundering.
Orange County supervisors had never regulated medical marijuana. In Los Angeles County, Tuesday marked a change in course. The ban reversed the county's 4-year-old policy on the dispensaries, which are allowed with strict prohibitions on their location: They cannot be within 1,000 feet of churches, day-care centers, libraries, playgrounds, schools and other sensitive uses.
To date, the county has not approved a single dispensary in an unincorporated area. Two were rejected, and three are still pending.
The bans in both counties must be read again at a future meeting for final approval, and are expected to then go into effect at the end of the year.
• Thanks to G-Dog for submitting this article
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: bellinghamherald.com
Author: GARRETT THEROLF - Los Angeles Times
Copyright: 2010 McClatchy
Contact: bellinghamherald.com Contact Us
Website: 2 California counties move to ban medical marijuana dispensaries - Wire - Lifestyle - bellinghamherald.com
