blogdowntown
Not currently logged in. [Login or Create an Account]

Stay Connected



 

Visualizing the Debate Over Marijuana Dispensary Locations

By Eric Richardson
Published: Friday, December 11, 2009, at 11:01AM
Marijuana Dispensary Buffer -- 1000 Feett blogdowntown / Cartifact, Inc.

1,000 FOOT BUFFER: This map of Downtown shows areas that are 1,000 feet or more from residential uses in green. Council is considering where to allow medical marijuana dispensaries, and distance from residential uses is one factor.



DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — A proposed ordinance governing the location and operation of medical marijuana dispensaries in the City of Los Angeles was again put on hold this week, as Council wrestled to find a balance between access and control. A requirement that dispensaries be 1,000 feet away from residential uses proved contentious on Wednesday, with Councilmembers split.

That got blogdowntown wondering, just what does a 1,000 foot buffer around residential projects look like?

The maps above show 1,000, 500 and 200 foot buffers around residential uses Downtown. They are not an exact visualization of where dispensaries could be located -- they don't include buffers around substance abuse center and may not include all residential hotels -- but they're more than the City Council has to work with.

The City's planning department is working on creating maps of the ordinance's effects, but they won't be ready until January.

There are currently an estimated 800 to 1,000 dispensaries operating around the City, most of which came into being after the City passed a 2007 ordinance forbidding new outlets until permanent rules could be developed.

SHARE:

||

Related Stories:


Conversation

Jim Winstead on December 11, 2009, at 01:08PM – #1

it's funny that the civic center is largely green. perhaps this could be one way to revitalize the underground la mall?


Guest 1

Raphael on December 11, 2009, at 02:42PM – #2

Great work. Do we really know that people live only in areas designated for residential uses? I feel like these zoning laws concentrate purportedly dangerous things in areas where kids are already at risk.

We have similar zoning laws for sex offenders--1000 feet away from parks, schools, churches, etc. (I don't know the exact details) and I feel like we force sex offenders to live in areas where kids are already at risk (far from parks, schools, etc).


Guest 2

BaddicusFinch on December 11, 2009, at 02:54PM – #3

And what will be considered "residential"? Properties zoned residential? Properties used as residential, regardless of zoning (like commercially zoned properties with grandfathered homes)?

What other location restrictions...will a dispensary have to be on a commercial or industrial property? Minimum distance from other dispensaries? Maximum amount of dispensaries to be allowed in council district/census tract/neighborhood council area?


Guest 3

George M. on December 11, 2009, at 05:16PM – #4

This is the new Green Zone! LOL gives the phrase a whole new meaning.


Eric Richardson () on December 11, 2009, at 06:07PM – #5

George: Indeed, much of that space falls into the Mayor's Green Tech Corridor.


Don Garza on December 12, 2009, at 06:51AM – #6

hmmm... skid row already has a dispensary on 3rd and wall if anyone is interested to know...so this is nothing new.... and yes... downtown should be worried because one of the biggest dirty secrets is that many sex offenders living in SRO Housing in skid row are allowed to not have to disclose on megan's law website or notify their neighbors like in a regular neighborhood outside of skid row , only the women who move into the buildings are notified but are first asked if they want to be notified...because of the nature of skid row and the danger to these registered offenders from those who have also been in prison who would supposedly harm them. I use this as an example because skid row has had different rules for the convenience of the rest of the city of los angeles and I would presume the rest of the county for a long time. So be prepared for the probability of a proliferation of cannabis clubs in Downtown ....without the knowledge of residents and business owners being notified of their opening up and sliding them in like they had done on spring street earlier in the year..and yes, I have been witness to many in skid row who get a medical marijuana card so that they can acquire it legally and then turn around and sell from their legal stash to their neighbors or friends . And yes it is quite easy for anyone to get a medical marijuana card because people in skid row share with each other which doctors to go to to easily acquire them..


Guest 4

keith on December 12, 2009, at 09:43AM – #7

Uea over here at melrose & vine there's a shop just across the street from a church & school. guess we'll soon see if the 1000' rule applies there.


Guest 5

StickyDrama on December 14, 2009, at 03:34PM – #8

Oh wow this map is great! I hope they go for the 200 feet buffer, I hate having to walk 6 blocks away at night to medicate.


Guest 6

wuzzy on December 16, 2009, at 08:59PM – #9

Those green areas cover a lot of city. Are all those loft buildings and apartment buildings not counted as residential ? The dispensary at third and wall has all those "50 or better" condos across the street from the 3rd&Wall intersection, people live there so wouldn't that be residential ? Obviously our ruling class the L.A. city council has failed us.


Guest 7

Jereme Fishel on January 04, 2010, at 04:35PM – #10

I think the best action by our council would be to use this as the oppurtune time to rewrite the zoning laws to modern dictations. Hence, allowing the original 186 to remain in business only as proprietors with the ability to pay taxes without the excessive competition and provide a valuable service to a viable niche in our society. A rewritten zoning platform for a greener 2010.


Guest 8

Guest on May 14, 2010, at 12:52AM – #11

Do you know if all or any volenteers are being arrested inside these collectives that are being shut down? What about the patients that are inside when this happens? Just a concerned parent that drives my epileptic son to these places.I am also a medical marijuana patient with stomach cancer myself. Just was wondering how safe this is at this time? Thank You for response if any.


User_32

morgan on January 27, 2011, at 07:58AM – #12

It's great you've shared the locations, there are people that need to know this but as I recently read these marijuana dispensaries are targets to burglaries. Legal marijuana has become a high temptation for the illegal users. I hope the authorities will be able to cope with that. Morgan -


User_32

on April 22, 2011, at 01:03AM – #13

I would love to see an updated version of this map, I bet there are a lot of exceptions that have been made since 2009



Add Your Voice

In an effort to prevent spam, blogdowntown commenting requires that Javascript be enabled. Please check your browser settings and try again.

 

Search:


Story Location:

Loading... Please wait.




On Twitter

New Comments


Recommendations



blogdowntown Photo Pool

Photos of Downtown contributed by readers like you.

Downtown Blogs


Downtown Sites


Elsewhere