COUNTY OKS BAN ON POT SHOPS

Health: Vote Comes As Cities Throughout Southern California Also Ban
Medical Marijuana Facilities

County supervisors officially banned marijuana dispensaries in
unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County during a meeting Tuesday.

The ban was approved out of a concern that such dispensaries - which
have been ejected from many cities in Los Angeles County - might flee
in mass numbers to unincorporated areas to set up shop.

The city of Santa Clarita passed an ordinance banning dispensaries in
2007.

An official with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office
said pot-dispensing locations tend to draw crime and violence.

"(Dispensaries) are turning a lot of money and have attracted the
attention of armed robbers," Assistant District Attorney Jacquelyn
Lacey said.

"Where there are armed robbers, there will be a loss of life. (The
ordinance is) not a judgment on medical marijuana use, but saves the
county residents from any crime that a dispensary would bring."

But several people, many of whom either use or own dispensaries, said
the marijuana shops are safe so long as they are run properly. The
ban, they said, would only make it more difficult for people who need
marijuana to get their medication.

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who voted for the ban, said an ordinance
might be unnecessary because it wouldn't stop illegal dispensaries
from opening. Officials haven't approved opening a dispensary in the
county for years, he said.

"The issue is whether our regulations are sufficient to regulate those
who want to play by the rules, and I think the answer is yes."

Yaroslavsky said he has had terminally sick friends whose pain has
been eased by consuming marijuana.

"I hope we don't make it harder for those people facing terminal
illnesses from getting the type of assistance they need to address
their quality-of-life issues in their closing days," he said at the
meeting.

The ban passed on a 5-0 vote.