The city of Los Angeles is one step closer to enforcing an ordinance that would shut down hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the city.

There are currently about 1,000 dispensaries throughout Los Angeles, but if and when the ordinance goes into effect, only the 187 dispensaries that were registered with the city before a moratorium was issued will be able to keep their doors open. This means over 800 dispensaries will be forced to closed.

The ordinance will also prohibit dispensaries from opening or operating near schools, public parks and libraries, and religious institutions.

Before the ordinance goes into effect, two separate city council committees will be voting on registration fees for dispensary operators. The suggested fee is about $1,600 for each dispensary. Once the registration fee has been decided the ordinance can take effect.

In response to the ordinance, medical marijuana advocates are suing the city of Los Angeles in an effort to try and save the dispensaries.

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Although the state of California permits the possession, sale, and cultivation of marijuana for medicinal purposes, laws and regulations imposed by the city of Los Angeles and the federal government make prosecuting and defending medical marijuana charges difficult and complex. At Okabe & Haushalter, we have ample experience defending people who have been arrested in connection with a medical marijuana offense. Should you choose to work with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney at our office, you can trust your charges will be fought aggressively, and all measures will be taken to ensure you are provided with a tough and compelling defense. We have been very successful in defending clients throughout Los Angeles and South Bay against drug charges, and would be happy to use our experience, skills, and resources to help you!

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Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley’s efforts to crackdown on medical marijuana have landed one dispensary owner in the hot seat. The owner of Organica, a medical marijuana dispensary in Marina Del Rey, is facing criminal charges for the illegal sale of marijuana and money laundering.

Jeffrey Joseph is accused of passing out flyers advertising the dispensary near a high school. Since then, some of the students at the school have purchased marijuana from the dispensary. No details have been released about the money laundering charges.

In January, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed a new ordinance that prohibits dispensaries from opening within a certain distance of schools or any other location that children frequent. It’s not clear whether Organica is located near a school or if Joseph just went to the school to pass out the flyers.  

Although medical marijuana is illegal on the federal level, the state of California still allows marijuana to be cultivated, sold, and used for medicinal purposes. However, Cooley has been cracking down on medical marijuana dispensaries, and the ordinance Mayor Villaraigosa signed limits the number of dispensaries that are allowed to operate within Los Angeles County limits.

Joseph faces 24 criminal counts. His bail was set at $350,000.