Villaraigosa supports ban on marijuana dispensaries in L.A.
July 24, 2012 | 1:01pm
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa came out Tuesday in support of a total ban on medical marijuana dispensaries, an aide said.
Villaraigosa in recent months had remained quiet on the issue of how to regulate the city’s hundreds of dispensaries, even as city officials debated two proposals on the issue, one that would ban storefront sales of marijuana and another that would allow some businesses to remain open.
On Tuesday, as the City Council took up the issue before a big crowd of medical marijuana activists and residents and local leaders who say the proliferation of pot shops has gotten out of control, Villaraigosa spokeswoman Vicki Curry said the mayor supports the total ban backed by Councilman Jose Huizar.
The proposed ban would prohibit storefront sales of marijuana while still allowing small groups of patients and caregivers to grow it collectively.
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