In states where marijuana is legal under the guise of medicine, many communities are saying NO to pot shops in their neighborhoods.  

 

In California, the state with the most permissive “medical” marijuana laws in the country, 185 cities and counties have banned pot shop store-fronts. Local officials are seeing what dispensaries truly are- fronts for drug-dealing and supplying weed to people who aren’t really sick. 

 

In New Jersey, communities are taking steps to prevent the establishment ofmarijuana cultivation farms. As one member of the Maple Shade community put it, “people read the accounts of what’s going on in other states…and assume that’s what’s going to happen here.” The retail sale of marijuana has been linked to increased crime and violenceand, of course,New Jersey does not want thisto happen in their neighborhoods. 

 

States that have medi-pot laws are taking a stand against pot shops and the neighborhood crime that accompanies them. As Lars Etzkorn, program director for the National League of Cities, declared, “local governments are within their rights to restrict or keep out pot businesses.” 

 

As states that have legalized marijuana under the guise of medicine are realizing the negative impact marijuana has on society, we hope to see more communities stand up and say NO to pot store fronts in their neighborhoods.

 

 

For more on this story go to: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/us-communities-blocking-medical-marijuana-15324117