Last week Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed an ordinance that will result in the closure of hundreds of medical malpractice shops throughout the city.

Mayor Villaraigosa signed the ordinance into effect after the city council approved the bill in late January.

The ordinance limits the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in the city to just 70, and creates a buffer zone around schools and places of worship. The ordinance says a dispensary cannot open within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, libraries, places of worship, or anywhere children are likely to congregate. It is unclear which 70 dispensaries will be allowed to remain in business and which will be forced to close or be banished to industrial areas.

Despite last week’s signing, the city cannot enforce the ordinance for at least 45 days. 

The city said it plans to seek an injunction against any dispensaries that do not comply with the ordinance.

The use and sale of medical marijuana has been a heated topic in Los Angeles County over the last few months. Late last year, Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley announced he will begin cracking down on dispensaries, especially those who sell to people who don’t qualify for medical marijuana under state law. Cooley clarified that he is not against the use, possession, and cultivation of marijuana for medicinal purposes, but rather is against selling the drug.

If you have been arrested in connection with medical marijuana, you can trust a skilled  Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at Okabe & Haushalter to help. At Okabe & Haushalter, we understand medical marijuana is a controversial topic, and are committed to doing whatever it takes to get our clients’ charges reduced or dismissed to a lesser offense, whether that means challenging the prosecution’s evidence, negotiating for a drug diversion program, or battling your charges in court.

To arrange a consultation to discuss your charges, please contact Okabe & Haushalter today at (310) 543-7708!