L.A. City Council Shoots Down Koretz Plan to Keep Dispensaries Open

The Los Angeles City Council sent a medical marijuana proposal that would have left about 100 dispensaries open back to two committees, and advanced a competing proposal that would ban dispensaries outright.

Councilman Paul Koretz proposed to place regulations as to where and when dispensaries could operate as well as require tight security for the shops. The plan was praised by The Greater Los Angeles Collective Alliance said Koretz's eleventh hour plan was a "miracle" and they were grateful for his actions.

However, the council advanced a plan by Councilman Jose Huizar that allowed cultivation and direct distribution by "caregivers" but that would ban dispensaries. The plan was agreed upon in a closed session several weeks ago.

Koretz described Huizar's proposal to Patch.com as a "vicious, heartless ban that would close all dispensaries and force the seriously ill and suffering patients to buy their medical marijuana on the black market if they're not able, which most would not be, to grow it in their homes." http://northhollywood.patch.com/articles/city-council-moves-forward-with-gentle-ban-on-medical-marijuana