Los Angeles Marijuana Clinic Blog

Mushrooming industry

California was the first of 10 states to pass a medical marijuana law. But no other metropolitan area has nearly as many that of Los Angeles marijuana clinics. The Bay Area, for example, has about 70.
Still, the medical marijuana industry is getting some rocks thrown in to the wheel of possible new fortunes.
The Los Angeles marijuana clinics were being aided by the lack of specific regulations covering these businesses within many jurisdictions of Los Angeles County, particularly in the city of L.A. The county and many cities inside it scrambled to enact moratoriums to give them time to decide whether to regulate or ban such shops.
At least eight cities now have moratoriums in place, while Torrance and Pasadena in the past year have banned clinics. On Jan. 16, West Hollywood gave initial approval to an ordinance intended to lower the number of clinics in the city from six to four. L.A. County passed an ordinance that went into effect in June that regulates when and where the Los Angeles marijuana clinics open.
In November, Los Angeles officials began talking seriously about enacting a moratorium. That set off a scramble by many to open Los Angeles marijuana clinics to beat any decision–and led to the 45 new Los Angeles marijuana clinics that opened in the city. In all, the city has 148 retail-like Los Angeles marijuana clinics and/or home-delivery services.
“Out of the chaos, that’s where the opportunists move in,” Duran said.
Los Angeles marijuana clinics owners who contend they work hard to run a reputable operation take issue with the opportunist label, though several declined to talk to the Business Journal for this story. However, one operator who opened a small dispensary north of downtown L.A. five months ago, said he pays sales taxes, is insured by Lloyd’s of London, and desires a good working relationship with the officers who patrol his neighbourhood.
“This is new territory for us,” said the operator, who would only allow his first name, Ed, to be used in the wake of the DEA raids. “Everyone is very spooked right now. We are not drug dealers and we don’t want to be confused with that.”
Under state law, in order to receive medical marijuana, patients must get a doctor to provide a written recommendation–nicknamed scripts, although they’re technically not prescriptions. The scripts also give the recipients the right to legally grow marijuana for medical purposes.
For roughly $70 to $100, depending on the neighbourhood, patients with a script can purchase one-eighth of an ounce of processed marijuana for personal use. They can roll a joint to smoke on premises if the dispensary offers a smoking lounge, or take it home. Many shops also offer pot-laced edibles for those unable or disinclined to smoke.
Prices at Los Angeles marijuana clinics, sometimes known as cannabis clubs, tend to be equivalent to or slightly higher than pot available on the street, with clinic owners touting the greater safety and cleanliness of their facilities.