L.A.'s medical pot dispensary moratorium led to a boom instead

from the Los Angeles Times:




L.A.'s medical pot dispensary moratorium led to a boom instead
A ban meant to prevent new dispensaries from opening included a loophole that entrepreneurs have exploited. Where four years ago there were only a handful, now there may be 600 dispensaries.

By John Hoeffel
June 3, 2009


Four years ago, when the Los Angeles City Council started to wrestle with how to control medical marijuana, there were just four known storefront dispensaries, one each in Hancock Park, Van Nuys, Rancho Park and Cheviot Hills.

Now, police say there are as many as 600. There may be more. No one really knows.

That exponential rise came despite a moratorium passed in 2007 that was supposed to prohibit new dispensaries from opening. An exception was made for 186 that were already in business and registered with the city.

"The city of L.A. has failed us on this issue," said Michael Larsen, public safety director with the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council. "There's a huge loophole. L.A. city's not watching. L.A. city's not enforcing."

No other city in California has seen such uncontrolled growth in dispensaries. As signs featuring the easily recognized saw-toothed cannabis leaf multiplied on commercial strips, neighborhood activists like Larsen began to ask their council members why the city was not shutting down dispensaries that opened after the moratorium.

Larsen was shocked at the answer. "Nothing controls these," he said. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-medical-marijuana3-2009jun03,0,2392842.story

Oh, that is funny.

okay, legalize it, regulate it, tax it, and let people grow their own. Problem (or should I say, "problem") solved.

This is going to unleash hell if it happens. Get ready Arnold.