Cannabis Law Group's Medical Marijuana Legal Blog
Long Beach tightens restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries
Nine more Long Beach medical marijuana dispensaries will be forced to shut down under amendments supported Tuesday by City Council, the Contra Costa Times reported.
Our Long Beach marijuana dispensary attorneys reported recently here on our Marijuana Lawyer Blog that local politicians were set on toughening the rules, despite shaky legal ground for doing so. The attorneys and staff at the CANNABIS LAW GROUP believe most of these local ordinances violate the rights of medical marijuana patients and dispensaries. There is strength and numbers and those who survive are those who are willing to fight against the amateur politicians with nothing better to do.
Council compromised by not implementing the full range of proposed restrictions backed by three of its members. It did not restrict marijuana cultivation to industrial zones but it did create buffer zones around parks. The 7-2 vote to rewrite the law — which it just approved in March — added to existing restrictions that prevent activity within 1,000 feet of schools, residential areas or other marijuana-related businesses.
The city also requires the marijuana be grown within the city limits, despite a state law permitting medical marijuana to be legally grown throughout California.
Other proposals not adopted would have also prevented collectives from operating within 1,000 feet of libraries and child care centers.
Collectives must also submit audited financial information and state sales tax reports to the city. They are permitted to operate from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. — a slight increase in hours over the previous requirement that they close by 5 p.m.
Security cameras will also be required for the outside of collective buildings. And a one-year moratorium on new collectives will go into effect.
The CANNABIS LAW GROUP is a law firm dedicated to the rights of medical marijuana patients, collectives and growers and has built a reputation for high-powered, aggressive legal representation of the medical marijuana industry in Southern California. Call 949-375-4734 for a confidential consultation to discuss your rights.