State lawmakers seek to tame marijuana 'wild west'
Arguing that the growth of the medical-marijuana industry is "out of control," state senators Wednesday advanced a measure to restrict new dispensaries near homes.
The Senate bill would create a 600-foot buffer zone between marijuana shops and residential neighborhoods, and allow cities to impose even tougher zoning. An Anaheim city councilwoman argued for the measure, saying that residents in her city are fed up with round-the-clock traffic and wafting second-hand marijuana smoke.
"It's just out of control right now," said Sen. Doug La Malfa (R-Richvale), noting that voter approval of a state ballot measure permitting medical marijuana sales and use in 1996 had created a "wild west" for the industry. "These things generally make pretty poor neighbors for people who don't partake in this product."
Read the full story in PolitiCal.
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