LA banning 762 Pot Clinics
I can’t even believe that there are 762 pot clinics in Los Angeles. That’s more than the number of gas stations. Way more than the number of 7-11s in the city. Marijuana was legalized to reap in all the gazillions of taxes that were available from potheads and their favorite herb. But as it turns out, there is no money in it and all 762 clinics have now been banned. For the Lulz I’m sure.
From the DailyNews here:
After years of controversy over medical marijuana, the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday decided to ban every clinic in the city.
The 14-0 decision came after some five hours of debate, including three hours behind closed doors, as well as passionate opposing testimony from medical marijuana advocates and neighbors frustrated by the problems the clinics create.
City Councilman Jose Huizar, a co-author of the ban, said the city has simply been unable to properly control the dispensaries. In Eagle Rock, for example, he said, there are 13 clinics. “That’s too many for such a small area,” Huizar said. “All we hear are complaints about the number of dispensaries and the problems around them.”
The number of clinics has grown to 762 registered with the city, and possibly hundreds more that are believed to be unregistered.
Of course potheads smoke pot and of course they aren’t paying taxes on it. And it is not a shock to me that a pot clinic in your neighborhood is about as bad for property values as living next to a crematorium or a pig farm. The experiment with legalized marijuana in LA now seems to be over and the results is that it is a stupid idea.
I’m not a champion “for” pot dispensaries, so don’t get me wrong. It is a huge problem for the city. I do believe in compassionate use for severe life threatening illness, not for every minor ache and phantom symptom someone might have.
With that being said, I believe that there are more gas stations than pot dispensaries in Los Angeles.
I also believe that in the city of Los Angeles, the number of 7-11 type convenience stores is higher than most cities.
The problem is the city did not set up oversight committees or guidelines for these dispensaries. And I’m sure there are probably some out there that did not go through the registration process, and just set up shop.
The city may be dealing with this issue all over again if voters decide to override the city council’s decision to ban. I’m betting someone will try to get this vote on the next available ballot measure, asap.
There are about 400 7-elevens in LA proper, and a few hundred more gas stations that are not also 7-elevens. Thanks a bunch for the great comment. But now that Los Angelinos know what the effect the dispensaries have on their neighborhood, including crime and murders, do you think they would vote to re-enact the legislation? I seriously doubt it.
If marijuana were a real drug they would sell it in a pharmacy, requiring a real doctor to prescribe it.