Los Angeles County Extends Medical Marijuana Growing Ban

Los Angeles County supervisors voted to extend a temporary ban on medical marijuana cultivation in unincorporated areas of the county by one month.

At the same time, however, supervisors this week postponed a proposed 10-month ban on medical marijuana growing in unincorporated areas, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The issue dates to February, when county supervisors voted for a temporary ban on growing medical marijuana. They also voted to study a permanent ban, citing concerns about environmental impacts and safety.

Supervisors then passed a 45-day ban in April which was scheduled to expire this week.

Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said that it only made sense to hold off on voting on the 10-month ban because of a good chance that California voters will approve a ballot measure legalizing recreational marijuana in November.

“If they do pass, we must regulate and not ban,” she said.

Marijuana dispensaries are already prohibited from opening in unincorporated areas.