In a ruling last week, by the California State Appeals court, it was determined that California’s law permits cities to ban pot shops. 

 

In upholding a ban by the city of Riverside, a three-judge panel in California’s 4^th District Court of Appeal rejected the plaintiff’s appeal, concluding “state medical marijuana laws do not prevent cities and counties from passing regulations, including bans.” Additionally, the same court upheld the city of Upland’s ban on pot shops.

 

Founder of Coalition for a Drug Free California, Paul Chabot, sees this as a tremendous victory for California communities, stating; “this is a real victory for communities and the tide is turning against so-called medical marijuana in California.” 

 

The city of Riverside plans to take immediate action by closing down 15 dispensaries in their city, according to City Attorney, Gregory Priamos. 

 

The decision could ultimately reach the California State Supreme Court. Should this happen, we hope they too will see that the state’s medi-pot law does not prevent cities and counties from protecting their communities through ordinances banning pot shops. We applaud the California 4^th District Court of Appeal’s decision.

 

 

 

To read more on this story, go to: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/11/appeals-court-rules-cities-can-ban-medical-marijuana-dispensaries.html