LA council set to vote on marijuana ordinance

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[February 04, 2010]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles City Council is poised to vote on a medical marijuana ordinance after months of hammering out criteria that would shutter hundreds of dispensaries.

Council members will take up the issue once again Tuesday. They will be presented two drafts, both of which include capping the number of clinics at 70. The move would close most shops that don't comply with the new law.

The main difference between the two versions is the distance dispensaries should be from schools, parks and other public gathering spots.

Hundreds of dispensaries have opened in Los Angeles over the past couple of years despite a moratorium on new clinics. City officials have fumbled with the ordinance for years and are trying to adopt language that jibes with state law.

[Associated Press]

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