The Los Angeles City Council today voted to outlaw medical marijuana dispensaries but approved a separate measure that could allow about 180 storefronts to remain open under stricter regulations.

Update at 7:54 p.m. ET: If approved by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has voiced his support, the ban would go into effect after 30 days, the Associated Press says. The city will inform all existing storefront dispensaries, which could total up to 900.

The city "has fumbled with its medical marijuana laws for years, trying to provide safe and affordable access to the drug for legitimate patients while addressing worries by neighborhood groups that streets were being overrun by dispensaries and pot users, AP writes.

The LA Weekly clarifies that the measures approved today will allow "nonprofit collectives of up to three people who want to grow and share pot for the medically ill behind closed doors."

The California Supreme Court is considering challenges to similar bans and regulation of pot dispensaries. In 1996, state voters approved the medical use of marijuana by verified patients who did not get pain relief or other therapeutic benefits from prescription drugs.

Over the past year, the U.S. Justice Department has closed some dispensaries around the state, citing federal drug laws.

BLOG: U.S. crackdown targets dozens of Calif. pot shops

BLOG: Feds shut 62% of medical-pot outlets around San Diego

More here about the state's program.

Original post: The Los Angeles City Council has voted overwhelmingly to ban medical marijuana dispensaries, but it also approved a measure that may keep about 180 of the more than 850 outlets operating under new regulations, according to news reports.

The vote to make medical pot dispensaries illegal was 13-1. The council then voted, 9-5, to have the city attorney draw up a new ordinance that could allow 182 existing shops to continue operating, NBC Los Angeles reports.

Small groups of licensed patients and caregivers will still be allowed to grow marijuana collectively.