The Pot Store Shutdown in L.A. Faces Resistance
Some storefront medical marijuana operations targeted for closure by this year's new ordinance regulating them are looking for ways to stay in business.
The L.A. Weekly talked to some such would-be maverick operations:
A self-described "ex-bud tender" from the 99 High Art Collective dispensary in Venice said the outlet is still "operating" but on a "delivery-only status.""We are licensed caretakers, and we're only prohibited to sell here at this destination," the woman, who did not want to be identified, reasoned. Beach House Collective, also in Venice, appears to be in business, although a representative stated that the shop would only deal with members. "We actually are closed to the public," said an employee who did not want to give his name. "We still offer medical cannabis to people with memberships."
As with some of the other dispensaries contacted, King Collective Caregivers in the Crenshaw district seemed to be taking a wait-and-see stance regarding the city's impending crackdown on shops that violate the ordinance. A worker named Arphur said they are "generally not open" but that "we're waiting for our lawyers to see what is happening, to give us the yes or no."
The City Attorney's office tells the Weekly it knows there are scofflaws out there, and vows they will all eventually be brought down. A switch to a delivery only model though, might not fall under the city ordinance at all, which on its face seems to be aimed only at storefronts.
Also in the Weekly, Dave Cotner tries to talk to onespecific neighborhood pot shop about whether they are going to close or not, and sees the answers get progressively less hopeful, though they swear they are no nuisance to their Gardena neighborhood.
My May Reason magazine cover story that tells the whole history of L.A.'s attempts to manage the non-threat of medical pot storefronts.
Image associated with post taken by Flickr user m_kasahara. Used under user Creative Commons license.
