Paramount places moratorium on marijuana dispensaries

Medical marijuana dispensaries like the one shown in this file photo are allowed in some area cities, but the Paramount City Council has placed a moratorium on dispensaries in the city until a city ordinance regulating them can be drafted and approved.

By WAVE STAFF

Story Created: Aug 19, 2010 at 11:53 AM PST

Story Updated: Aug 19, 2010 at 11:53 AM PST

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PARAMOUNT — The City Council here has joined most of its neighboring communities in clamping a freeze on the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries.

The council voted 5-0 Aug. 3 for a 45-day moratorium. That may be extended by 10 months and 15 days and after that for another year under state law.

In a report to the City Council, City Attorney John Cavanaugh said the city needs time to decide if it wants to allow such outlets and if so what regulations are needed.

Cavanaugh said that while state voters approved Proposition 15 in 1996 to allow the “compassionate use” of marijuana to ease pain, there is still legal uncertainly, such as a case pending in Anaheim, where a dispensary is protesting a city ban.

It is still illegal under federal law to possess marijuana, although the Obama administration has said it would not prosecute nonprofit marijuana dispensaries operating under state law.

Neighboring cities of South Gate and Bellflower have banned such stores outright while moratoriums continue in Downey, Huntington Park, Norwalk and Santa Fe Springs.

Whittier has allowed one such facility but then clamped a freeze on additional stores, pending more study.

Cavanaugh notes that some cities which allow dispensaries have reported an increase in crime in those areas as street dealers target customers by either selling them marijuana or robbing them as they leave the clinics.

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Don't need no outlet said on Friday, Mar 4 at 10:48 PM

Just go over to the high school in Lynwood and git all the stuff I want. Lynwood hasn't banned anything. So why isn't Paramount gettin after Lynwood to ban cannabis sales?

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