The Los Angeles City Council has decided not to go through with a ban that would force shops selling medical marijuana to shutdown. Medical marijuana storefronts have sprung up all over the state. Two months ago the council voted to close them, but a recent decision reverses the ban.
Marijuana confusion
City council members are asking state lawmakers to look into the issue next session, hoping for some guidance.
“What weighs heavy in my mind is that no matter what we do, the federal government will still come in and shut them down,” said Councilman Ed Reyes, who voted for the ban in July.
“It’s a very confusing time for everyone. Those who chose to continue to open up for the right reasons are at risk and those who are doing it out of gamesmanship, out of opportunism, out of profit at the cost of our lives and the public safety in our communities will also be at risk.”
While the vote allows storeowners to continue selling pot for medicinal use, storeowners aren’t free from federal scrutiny, according to Fox News. Pot remains illegal under federal law.
It’s estimated about 1,000 “pot stores” exist in the city of Los Angeles.
Council worries about crime
One of the reasons the council took on this issue in the first place was a reported increase in crime. Some believe storeowners are selling pot strictly for profit.
“What we need is a clean slate. I don’t think it was ever anybody’s intent for things to get out of control to the point that they have,” Councilman Mitchell Englander told ABC News. “There’s been a proliferation of these bad operators, and we need to clean this up.”
Your thoughts?
How do you feel about the council’s decision? Should pot become legal in the U.S.? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.
