Five of Eight Downtown Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Listed for Closure by City Clerk
Chuck Coker
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Six months after the city passed a sweeping new ordinance designed to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, the legal landscape for the pot shops remains cloudy.
Last week, the City Clerk's office released a list announcing that 128 of the 169 medical marijuana shops that had registered under a 2007 interim control ordinance were not eligible to remain legally open.
That list included five of eight dispensaries Downtown, but even the three listed as eligible may not be legally in the clear. All three appear to violate ordinance restrictions that would keep such businesses no less than 1,000 feet from schools, churches, parks, and other sensitive locations.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the City Attorney's office has decided that only dispensaries who have the exact same owners and management as they did when they originally registered can stay open.
Without specifics or enforcement, the number of dispensaries blossomed from 183 at the time of the 2007 interim ordinance to over 700 before the new ordinance was passed.
Nearly all of those new shops closed once the permanent rules went into effect in July, but the new action takes aim at the established operators that complied with the interim terms.
The five Downtown dispensaries currently listed as ineligible to register are the Arts District Healing Center, Care California Consultation Inc., Chinatown Patient Collective, Holistic Healing Alternatives, and the Los Angeles Wellness Center. While these businesses may have been listed as ineligible for additional ordinance violations, a change of owner or manager was among the reasons cited by the city.
The three dispensaries that remain open appear to be at ineligible locations.
City Compassionate Caregivers, at 604 E. 4th, is approximately 700 feet from Centenary United Methodist Church. The Organic Century Farmacy, at 404 W. 7th, is roughly 400 feet from a synagogue and 600 feet from Pershing Square. Downtown Collective, at 1600 S. Hill is directly across the street from the Friedman Occupational Center.
Don't expect this issue to find closure any time soon. Dispensaries have filed 32 lawsuits against the city.
Guest on August 31, 2010, at 09:49AM – #1
Interesting that the Wellness Center on Olympic west of Hill didn't show up on any lists event though gangbangers were coming and going with their white baggies for over 6 months. Its back door is attached to the YWCA school property. There was another one in the same building facing Hill St. This is literally next door to the YWCA school. It seems to cater more to teens and skid road "patients". It didn't show up on any of the LA Times potshop maps at all ...yet there it is.... now open select days from 1-4. They have added some brown paper to the windows...Did DLANC take an active role in removing these drug dealers from the neighborhood? Considering the damage they have done to the community, I would hope so...
David Markland on August 31, 2010, at 11:13AM – #2
Actually, the Los Angeles Wellness Center was on the list (as ineligible), and we overlooked it. I've amended the post to reflect its inclusion.
Guest on August 31, 2010, at 02:54PM – #3
Thanks for the correction David.
Russell Brown on August 31, 2010, at 05:35PM – #4
Since a CUP was not required to open the MJ clinics, DLANC had no over-site over the clinics. There was one who was going to make a presentation. We declined to support them since they were in a location that had already been ruled as illegal and were not part of the original applicants.
It has been stated that it was significantly easier to open a MJ clinic than it was to open a yogurt shop. Those days are gone.
J-M on August 31, 2010, at 07:41PM – #5
I hate to say it, but this is complete and utter bollocks. If the City put a fraction as much effort into busting crack dealers as they do medical marijuana dispensaries, we might actually have a safer city. I've never been scared of a pothead. This is a political issue and it's sad to see the same old pandering as last century. Some of the most sober and conservative kids I've ever met were Dutch, and I'm sure the coffee shops in Holland have a lot to do with demystifying pot. This issue stinks and most (voting) adults know it and should know better.
Nancy Richardson (@nanorich) on August 31, 2010, at 07:54PM – #6
And Vote YES! ON 19.
Guest on September 01, 2010, at 05:42AM – #7
$113 billion is spent on marijuana every year in the U.S., and because of the federal prohibition every dollar of it goes straight into the hands of criminals. Far from preventing people from using marijuana, the prohibition instead creates zero legal supply amid massive and unrelenting demand.
According to the ONDCP, at least sixty percent of Mexican drug cartel money comes from selling marijuana in the U.S., they protect this revenue by brutally torturing, murdering and dismembering countless innocent people.
If we can STOP people using marijuana then we need to do so NOW, but if we can't then we need to legalize the production and sale of marijuana to adults with after-tax prices set too low for the cartels to match. One way or the other, we have to force the cartels out of the marijuana market and eliminate their highly lucrative marijuana incomes - no business can withstand the loss of sixty percent of its revenue!
To date, the cartels have amassed more than 100,000 "foot soldiers" and operate in 230 U.S. cities, and the longer they're allowed to exploit the prohibition the more powerful they'll get and the more our own personal security will be put in jeopardy.
Guest on September 01, 2010, at 08:52AM – #8
FYI the Friedman Occupational Center is an adult school and not considered by the ordinance to be a sensitive use. I have always thought the cartels made more money from meth which they can make quickly and cheap or cocaine which can be cut over and over again with much cheaper ingredients.As far as marijuana goes if we legalize it I think we will increase demand and the cartels will just grow more to compete with the lower prices plus they will obviously be selling it tax free. Prop 19 has a few issues first of all IMO just like the lotto it will not contribute anywhere close to what we are being told,to our bankrupt state,let's learn from the lotto. 2nd kids can easily get marijuana now,what's it gonna be like when they can just get a fake ID or stand outside a liquor store and ask a stranger to buy it for them?In addition,how many more people are going to get entangled in the legal system by the additional laws from this proposition? If you read Prop 19 is seems to give preference to big money/corporations. Just like the lotto and Prop 215 there is a lot more than what we see or are told on the surface.It's never what we think it is,it's more than likely benefiting a small group of individuals.Its difficult if not impossible to keep people from talking, well the talk from within city hall is that there are lobbyiest meetings going with big money people that wish to come in and control the maijuana business and squash the dispensaries .
J-M on September 01, 2010, at 09:51AM – #9
Guest #8, kids don't really care about pot these days. They're far more likely to raid their parents' prescription drugs cabinet and use that fake ID for alcohol. How about we limit the number of liquor stores on every block in poor neighborhoods too? I'm not endorsing the use of pot, I just think you're being disingenuous about the risks of medical marijuana. Dispensaries have been open for a few years now, where's the increased violence and corruption of our kids?? Surely it would have happened by now? Instead, it takes people out of the realm of having to deal with shady drug dealers who expose them to all sorts of other things. In my book, that's progress and people trying to score cheap political points off keeping it illegal is a step back. I thought California was supposed to be the state of Progress with a big P?
Bolt Barbers on September 01, 2010, at 10:31AM – #10
Our timing is always off. Just brought in a big stock of Clear Eyes to Bolt Barbers for our dudes to get the red out.....Crap.
Brandy Zzyzx on September 01, 2010, at 02:02PM – #11
let's think about this for just a second.
So they move all the dispensaries away from schools, churches, parks, (aka. safe areas) and into industrial parks and secluded offices buildings (aka less safe area)...
essentially making the business owners "sitting ducks", then wonder why they get robbed and use that as an excuse to move them even further away and close down more.
Looks like the city council council has a definite strategy going on...
Guest on September 01, 2010, at 05:45PM – #12
Oh crap. Just what I always wanted. An over-priced buzzcut by a stoned "dude" who doesn't look stoned.
I prefer my barber cuts by old - sober - barber men.
Nancy Richardson (@nanorich) on September 02, 2010, at 10:28AM – #13
I know some mean drunks...but I have never met a mean pothead.
Guest on September 02, 2010, at 10:50AM – #14
GROWERS (USUALLY MARIJUANA CONNOISSEURS THEMSELVES)SELL TO THE DISPENSERS, WHO ARE PRIMARILY INTERESTED IN QUALITY. THEY SELL MEMBERSHIPS TO THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR UPWARDS OF $100, GIVING THEM LEGAL RIGHT TO POSSESS IT. MEMBERS IN TURN RESELL THE MEDICAL POT IN SMALLER QUANTITIES TO CASUAL USERS AND ORDINARY PEOPLE AT A SMALL PROFIT. ENOUGH TO OFFSET EXPENSES AND GET THEIR OWN POT FOR FREE. QUALITY IS UNIFORMLY GOOD, SOMETHING THAT WAS ALWAYS HIT AND MISS ON THE BLACK MARKET. TWO TOKES ENOUGH TO PUT YOU IN A STUPOR, UNABLE TO OPERATE HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND TOO PARANOID TO DRIVE A CAR. GREAT FOR LISTENING TO MUSIC, HOWEVER, AS POT IS KNOWN TO ENHANCE THE ENJOYMENT OF MUSIC. (THE REASON WE HAD SO MUCH GOOD MUSIC IN THE 60'S IS BECAUSE THE MUSICIANS ALL SMOKED POT.) IT IS TRENDY, UPWARDLY MOBILE, AND FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE UPSCALE LOFT APTS, SIDEWALK CAFES, AND WELL DRESSED YOUNG PEOPLE THAT CHARACTERIZE THE REVITALIZATION OF DOWNTOWN L. A. AND IT'S LEGAL!
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Guest on September 02, 2010, at 11:20AM – #15
@#12 sorry charlie... Bolt, like many things in downtown, is easy to knock if you've never tried it. HAD you ever been there, you'd know that Bolt is many things, but over-priced is not one of them. And the last time I was there (as a customer) I had a great conversation on the difficult religious history of rome, and the resulting beautiful architectural layers with the barber that cut my hair. Hardly 'a stoned "dude" who doesn't look stoned.'
Dan in LA
Nancy Richardson (@nanorich) on September 02, 2010, at 11:28AM – #16
Some of the people here haVE problems recognizing the difference between a schizophrenic who has not taken his meds in decades, and someone who has used cocaine, crack or powder.
It is highly doubtful they could spot someone who is a pothead, even someone with a case of ho-hos under their arms and a smile on their little faces.
Guest on September 03, 2010, at 02:24PM – #17
What MedX Collective? They are one of the best and are one of the original pre ICO collectives.
Guest on September 03, 2010, at 02:46PM – #18
Hey Mark can you include some updated info regarding Medx Collective on 16th Street? They are me and me co-horts favorite dispensary and would hate to have find another!
And FYI, I've been to BOLT and it rules.
Guest on September 03, 2010, at 06:44PM – #19
Wow..Friedman Occupational Center is NOT a sensitive site? These KIDS are trying to get their lives back together. And the scum that opens a potshop next door says that the area is not sensitive? So the students are fair game I guess! We'll have to fix that. I know the school doesn't want them there. And as for DLANC, just because some of your board members are recreational drug friendly does not mean that potshops should be downtown at all! This area needs to grow out of its seedy reputation, if it is going to attract new development. This was an issue back in 2009 when the drug dealers began opening storefronts all over downtown. DLANC should have stood up and taken an active role while zoning laws were being developed. But no, you pick the battles that suit you... As I said before, you should change your name to the Historic Core Village NC, since that's the only area you represent. Maybe the new Board will be better.
Guest on September 03, 2010, at 06:56PM – #20
A business called "Underground Smoke Shop" is coming to SB Lofts, replacing the corner gallery owned by the French guy.
What a horrible decision by the building management. Not excited.
Guest on September 06, 2010, at 07:52PM – #21
Nice!
I'm sure it will photograph well for the Historic Core Publicity photos!
Guest on September 07, 2010, at 12:50AM – #22
The soon-to-be Underground Smoke Shop is getting a paint job. Redrum!!!
Guest on September 10, 2010, at 10:48PM – #23
The city has no right closing the clinics that are located by the churches. The U.S. Federal or state government cannot make any laws that endorse or favor any church over any other business. The Local, state, or federal government cannot assign itself as a representative to or for any church or religious entity. The proprietors of these clinics should definitely talk to their lawyers and include this issue as one of their many lawsuits against the city.
Guest on September 15, 2010, at 11:00PM – #24
And today the Underground Smoke Shop in the SB Lofts building set up tables outside! Horrible...(seriously, it is!)
Guest on September 23, 2010, at 02:43PM – #25
The French guy was a douche and he complained about the legit dispensary formerly across the street. Its poetic justice he was evicted and replaced by a head shop. And who owns the building??? Barry Shy, who would take money from Hitler if he wanted to open a shop and was paying market rate in cash.