SACRAMENTO IMPOSES 45-DAY MORATORIUM ON POT SHOPS

SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento has joined several California cities that
have imposed a moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries.

The Sacramento City Council voted late Tuesday to place a 45-day
moratorium on new dispensaries or existing ones seeking to expand.
They say they are considering stricter regulations on the businesses.

Several cities have opted for the moratoriums after the Obama
administration recently announced that it would honor California's
medical marijuana law and halt federal raids on dispensaries. The
announcement prompted a spike in new-business inquiries to cities.

Sacramento officials estimate that there are about two dozen
dispensaries in the city. Existing medical pot shops also have been
ordered to register with the city within 30 days.