Marijuana Blog

Los Angeles voters took regulation of the city's medical marijuana shops into their own hands Tuesday, embracing a ballot measure to sharply reduce the number of dispensaries in the city.

 

But as in all things related to pot policy, the future of the new law is hazy.

 

Under the measure, only 135 dispensaries — those that were operating before a failed moratorium in 2007 — will be allowed to stay open. But enforcement could prove a monumental challenge as backers of a rival measure threaten lawsuits and city lawyers begin the long process of identifying all of the city's dispensaries and bringing them into compliance.

 

"Now the city has some work to do," said Steven Lubell, a medical marijuana attorney who supported the winning measure.

 

City officials, who have spent years struggling to regulate pot shops with little success, said they didn't know how many dispensaries were operating in Los Angeles. A recent police estimate put the number at around 700, but others said it could be more than double that. Jane Usher, a special assistant city attorney, said once the results of Tuesday's election are certified, city lawyers will begin updating their database of dispensaries and sending letters to operators notifying them of the new law.

 

Those that opened before the moratorium will be required to be at least 600 feet from any school, park or child-care facility and pay 6% of their gross receipts in taxes. Those that opened after 2007 will be ordered to close

 

Read more: http://www.latimes.com

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that medical marijuana users aren't automatically breaking the law if they're caught driving after using the drug.

 

The court unanimously overturned an appeals court decision in the case of a Grand Traverse County man, Rodney Koon. He was stopped in 2010 for speeding — going nearly 30 mph over the limit.

 

Koon admitted having smoked medical marijuana earlier, and a blood test revealed the drug in his system.

 

It's illegal for Michigan drivers to consume marijuana. But the state high court said medical marijuana users have some protection. The court says police must show that a driver actually was "under the influence" of marijuana for a charge to stick.

 

Michigan voters approved medical use of marijuana in 2008.

 

The medical marijuana law "shields registered patients from prosecution for the internal possession of marijuana," the judges said.

 

At the same time, the law prohibits driving "while under the influence of marijuana." But it fails to specify what level of marijuana in the body constitutes being "under the influence," the opinion said.

 

The court suggested lawmakers consider setting a marijuana limit, similar to a blood alcohol level.

 

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com

OTAY MESA, Calif. (WUSA9) --  U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Otay Mesa seized a truck carrying more than $1 million worth of marijuana Friday, May 17.

 

At about 6:15 p.m., a 39-year-old male Mexican citizen pulled into the the Otay Mesa cargo border crossing driving a tractor-trailer with a shipment of clay pots.  The vehicle and shipment were inspected by an officer with a narcotic dog.  The dog alerted others to the marijuana.  

 

Officers report 750 packages of marijuana were found hidden inside of the pots.  The packages weighed about 2,243 pounds with an estimated street value of more than $1 million.  The driver was booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center, authorities say.

 

Earlier that same day, at about 4:45 p.m., a 34-year-old male Mexican citizen arrived at Otay with a tractor-trailed that was supposed to be empty.  Upon inspection a narcotic detecting dog alerted officers to the tires on the trailer.

 

After searching the tires, CBP officers found 16 packages of marijuana hidden in the tires.  The marijuana weighed about 185 pounds with an estimated street value of $83,000.  The truck and drugs were seized and the driver was sent to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigation (ICE HSI) agents. 

 

Read more: http://www.wusa9.com