The ordinance signed on April 30 caps a four-year effort by the city to address the proliferation of pot parlors, which the Los Angeles Police Department said led to an increase in crime.

The ordinance, approved by the City Council in January, caps the number of dispensaries at 70, while letting 116 that registered with the city before Nov. 13, 2007, stay in business.

Operators of the other dispensaries will receive letters this week telling them to close, according to Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the city attorney’s office.

The remaining operators will be required to pay registration fees of $1,595 annually, Mateljan said. Employees will be subject to background checks and facilities subject to city inspection.

The ordinance also requires the dispensaries be located at least 1,000 feet from places such as schools, parks and child- care facilities.

A proposition on the statewide ballot in November would allow anyone over the age of 21 to possess, cultivate or transport marijuana for personal use. It would also permit local governments to tax marijuana production and sales, an estimated $15 billion a year business in California.

Editors: Rob Golum, Anthony Palazzo.

Source: Bloomberg.com (USA)

Author: Christopher Palmeri

Published: May 3, 2010

Copyright: 2010 Bloomberg L.P.

Contact: cpalmeri1@bloomberg.net

Website: http://www.bloomberg.com/

URL: http://drugsense.org/url/HQWQKTxp

CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives

http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml