Judge Blocks L.A.’s Attempt to Shut Down Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

A California Superior Court judge has issued an injunction preventing the city of Los Angeles from shuttering a Playa Vista medical-marijuana dispensary, a decision that effectively brakes the city’s efforts to shut down most such clinics, the Los Angeles Times reported Oct. 20.

Judge James C. Chalfant indicated that the drive to shut down the clinics would not proceed unless the city adopted an ordinance governing the operation of medical-marijuana dispensaries. City officials said they would not appeal the ruling, and City Council members said the decision would push the panel to quickly adopt a local law that has been debated for more than two years.

Los Angeles implemented a moratorium on new medical-marijuana clinics in August 2007, but dispensaries have continued to open since then and the city has done little to enforce the ban.

District Attorney Steve Cooley vowed to press the crackdown on clinics that operate illegally in the city. The city has taken the stance that only nonprofit groups can run dispensaries, and any that are cash businesses making a profit will be shut down.