L.A. Councilman Outs Himself as Medical Pot Patient

In the wake of the Los Angeles City Council's wholesale ban on medical marijuana dispensaries, Councilman Bill Rosendahl revealed to the L.A. Times that he has had a prescription for medical cannabis for 10 years.

Rosendahl uses pot to deal with the pain in his feet associated with neuropathy. A long time advocate of legalizing cannabis across the country, Rosendahl is the first member of the L.A. City Council to out himself as using medical marijuana.

"I think the war on drugs is destroying this great nation," Rosendahl is quoted as saying.

The L.A. Times also notes that dispensaries have been contributing to the reelection campaigns of councilmembers who've displayed a pro-pot posture.Rosendahl's reelection campaign in March accepted about $8,900 from the storefronts, which made up about 10 percent of the funds he raised.

Paul Koretz, another councilman who fought the outright dispensary ban, raised about 9 percent of his reelection funds, or $7,300, from the businesses.

"I'm an unabashed supporter of medical marijuana. I think it's a matter of life and death, literally. So they know keeping me in office would be a positive thing for them," he said.