Activists here have qualified a measure for the March ballot that would repeal a
Los Angeles City Council ban on medical-marijuana outlets. With medical-marijuana laws in 17 states and three more states considering legalization for recreational use
Los Angeles highlights the difficulties of regulating and enforcing marijuana laws among often competing federal, state, and local policies.
California was the first state to approve medical marijuana in 1996. But when different locales tried to implement the distribution, there was local resistance driven by churches, schools, parent groups, and police. These groups cited statistics showing crime going up in areas that had dispensaries. Litigation followed, and the result has been a confusing legal and regulatory tangle, with state law backing medical marijuana, federal law prohibiting it, and cities left to take sides.
With its ban, which took effect Sept. 6, Los Angeles has chosen the federal government's side, saying federal prohibitions against marijuana hold sway. Medical-marijuana advocates hope the ballot measure will bring some clarity to the situation.
