L.A. COUNTY LIFTS BAN ON POT DISPENSARIES

A decade after California voters legalized medical marijuana, Los
Angeles County supervisors voted 4-1 Tuesday to regulate dispensaries
in unincorporated areas, effectively lifting a countywide ban on the
facilities.

Dozens of medical marijuana advocates hailed the vote as they
gathered in the rain outside the Hall of Administration, some
lighting up joints.

Advocates said that despite the ban, dozens of dispensaries have been
operating throughout the county, including one recently in Hacienda
Heights.

" represents a major step forward," said Don Duncan, a spokesman for
the Hacienda Heights dispensary closed by the county last year. "This
ordinance puts the county of Los Angeles ahead of the curve on this
issue."

Under the new rules, dispensaries must obtain valid business licenses
to operate. They also must obtain minor conditional-use permits to
operate in commercial, industrial and residential zones.

The dispensaries may not be within 1,000 feet of schools, youth
facilities, churches and parks, and must have signs, adequate
lighting, a security system and guards.

The dispensaries can provide customers with edible marijuana and
customers can smoke marijuana on site as long as there is a separate,
well-ventilated room.

They also must distribute the owners' name and emergency contact
phone number to neighbors in case of problems. A public hearing
before the Regional Planning Commission will be held if two or more
nearby property owners protest.

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich cast the sole dissenting vote,
saying he wanted complaints to go before the Board of
Supervisors.

"We have an opportunity to allow the community to be involved in
deciding the impact on them," Antonovich said. "To have it decided by
a nonelected body does not allow the community to be engaged.

The supervisors sought to regulate the dispensaries after sheriff's
deputies and health officials reported some have been the sites of
illegal activities.