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LA County announces plan to regulate cannabis sales |
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Written by Martin Williams
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Wednesday, 08 February 2006 |
The Los Angeles County Supervisors’ Regional Planning Commission has
advanced an ordinance to allow medical cannabis dispensaries with
on-site consumption to operate in unincorporated areas of the populous
county.
The Board of Supervisors must approve the final ordinance and is
set to hear the issue in the next couple of months. A county-wide
moratorium had been implemented in late May, 2005, and is set to expire
at the end of this coming May.
The Commission voted 4-0 on Jan. 18 to approve a permanent zoning
ordinance for medical marijuana outlets, essentially clearing the way
for qualified patients to buy and smoke cannabis on-site or consume it
in an edible form. The commission allows on-site smoking if it occurs
in a separate room with proper ventilation and air purification
systems. Dispensaries would also be allowed to provide their clientele
with devices used to inhale their medicine, such as pipes, rolling
papers, water pipes and vaporizers.
The most burdensome requirement of the proposed
ordinance is that dispensaries be located 1000 feet from schools,
parks, playgrounds, youth and “religious” facilities, and other
dispensaries.
The proposed ordinance allows for on-site smoking, vaporization and paraphernalia sales.
“Hopefully, this will not be as problematic in the
vastness of LA County as in more urbanized locales such as Oakland,”
said CA Norml director Dale Gieringer. “On the plus side, the proposed
ordinance does allow for on-site smoking and paraphernalia sales.”
The shift to allowing on-site consumption has grown
due to the obvious burden on patients who need to medicate promptly and
discretely. Oakland’s is one of the few ordinances to deny on-site use.
Oakland patients have repeatedly asked the City to modify its policy
with no success.
Fortunately, LA County seems to have learned from Oakland’s shortcomings.
“It’s a great step and we support local cities and
counties regulating (dispensing collectives),” agreed Rebecca Saltzman,
field coordinator with Americans For Safe Access. “It’s very important
for localities to permit these dispensaries and give them credibility.”
Other permit requirements include:
• No on-site cultivation would be allowed at a medical marijuana dispensary.
• A licensed security guard must be on-site at all
times, and a security system with cameras and alarms installed.
• All dispensary applicants must agree to release the
county from any liability for injuries or damages resulting from arrest
or prosecution of its owners, employees or clients for violating state
or federal laws.
• A minor conditional use permit would be required to
establish and operate a dispensary, which requires public notification
and input, but a public hearing would only be held if there is a public
protest.
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Martin Williams |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 24 September 2006 )
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