The dispensation of marijuana for medicinal purposes has been in a legal gray area for the past several years.
In the State of California, it is legal for marijuana to be prescribed by doctors for a variety of conditions including: anxiety, migraine headaches, and cancer-related pain.
However, the Federal Government still regards marijuana as a controlled substance and has been butting heads with the State of California on the issue for the past several years.
Recently, a ban was enacted on medical marijuana dispensaries in the Los Angeles area, however the law, effective today, will not be enforced.
Regardless of the decision not to enforce the ban on medical marijuana, City Officials remain steadfast in their belief that the dispensaries are illegal.The reason for the decision to suspend the law is to allow for the investigation of the 50,000 signatures provided by medical marijuana supporters in order to ensure their legitimacy.
If these signatures are found to be legitimate, and the City Council approves the referendum, then an option will be put on the ballot in order to overturn the ban on dispensaries.
There are over 760 dispensaries located in the Los Angeles area that would be affected by the ban, and they aren’t willing to go without a fight. Should the ban be overturned next March when it appears on the primary election ballot, City Officials are not without other options.
Many people contend that marijuana dispensaries violate laws regulating land-use, and are inherently illegal, regardless. As such, it is possible that the dispensaries will be shut down before the March election, even if the referendum is approved by the Los Angeles City Council.