LA Has 3 Medical Marijuana Regulation Measures Up for Vote

We all know what a mess California’s medical marijuana regulations are, unless we are in denial about it. The city of Los Angeles now has 3 different medical marijuana regulation measures up for a public vote next week.

Measure D seems to be favored, it is supported by both mayoral candidates, though it is far from perfect. It would reduce the number of dispensaries in the city to 135, set their hours (10am – 8pm) and determine the minimum distance to any schools, parks, residential neighborhoods and other dispensaries.

Measure E is so similar to D that even its supporters have redirected their support towards Measure D. Measure F has seen less support (from mainstream media and politicians) because it does not limit the number of dispensaries as much. It does limit them by setting distance requirements such as measure D, but the number would be higher than 135.

None of the measures touch on product safety or production regulation. Obviously, it is bad that medicine is not tested for safety. I’m sure most dispensaries turn away any obviously moldy or mite-infested product, but I’m also sure that there are those that will buy such product at a massive discount.

The biggest issue though, which is obvious to a Denver resident like myself, is that growing is still unregulated. Here in Colorado, dispensaries must grow 70% of the medicine they sell, and the rest may only come from other dispensaries or registered caregivers. Dispensary-grown plants are tracked with serial numbers and barcodes, and thanks to this accountability the federal government has largely remained neutral in Colorado’s MMJ industry since these rules were implemented. Along with the removal of federal interference, this system has dropped prices to less than 50% of what they were. This increased accessibility for those that need the medicine and reduced the profitability of black market sales.