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California’s Supreme Court rules to allow cities to ban medicinal marijuana dispensaries
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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

May 6, 2013
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California’s Supreme Court rules to allow cities to ban medicinal marijuana dispensaries
California’s Supreme Court rules to allow cities to ban medicinal marijuana dispeneries
The owner of the Nirvana Pharmacy, a medical marijuana shop in Los Angeles, California, works on his products on March 24, 2010. There are hundreds of medical marijuana shops operating across the city, and a new ordinance from City Hall caps that number at 70, but grants a reprieve to the 187 medical marijuana dispensaries whose operators registered with the city prior to a moratorium. The ordinance requires that dispensaries be at least 1,000 feet away from schools, public parks, public libraries, religious institutions and other so-called ``sensitive use'' sites.
The owner of the Nirvana Pharmacy, a medical marijuana shop in Los Angeles, California, works on his products on March 24, 2010.
(
Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images
)

California’s Supreme Court rules to allow cities to ban medicinal marijuana dispeneries

California’s Supreme Court has unanimously ruled to allow local governments to ban medical marijuana dispensaries within their borders. The ruling will allow cities and counties to restrict access to medical marijuana by shutting down pot shops within city limits. 

Medical marijuana is legalized in California, and the drug is decriminalized throughout the state, but this most recent ruling from the California Supreme Court could result in the closure and criminalization of medical marijuana dispensaries. 

Should local governments be able to restrict access to dispensaries? What will happen to the shut down shops? What does the ruling mean for California citizens who smoke legal medical marijuana? 

Guest:

Frank Stoltze, KPCC reporter

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