Global Ganja Report

Medical marijuana advocates in San Diego have unveiled a proposed ballot measure to end the current municipal crackdown on dispensaries. The proposed initiative would set a 2.5% sales tax for the storefront dispensaries and prohibit them within 600 feet of schools and playgrounds, as well as laying out security and inspection requirements. "Our intent is to bring back safe access to medical cannabis for qualified patients," said Jessica McElfresh of the Patient Care Association of California, which helped draft the proposal. "Voters have almost always overwhelmingly supported medical marijuana responsible regulation." Proponents need to collect about 62,000 voter signatures to qualify the measure for the 2012 November ballot.

San Diego's city attorney has sued cannabis collectives for violating zoning laws, compounding the federal pressure on local dispensaries. In October, a San Diego court ruled that dispensaries could not be permitted within the city limits. "I think it is clear that building owners and dispensaries that don't voluntarily close their doors will be held accountable for violations of the law," said City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said in a press release in October. "We are obligated to enforce the law and we will do so." (NBC San Diego, Dec. 21)

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