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with the city several years ago and agreed to a series of operatingconditions such as hours and security. Huizar has said those who need medical marijuana would still beallowed to obtain it, by growing it themselves or obtaining it froma caregiver. "Until we have a dispensary model, we are going to be in conflictwith state laws," Huizar said during the last debate on the issue."The best thing we can do is repeal our existing ordinance untilthe courts decide this issue." There are more than 70 lawsuits pending against the city filed byclinics seeking to remain open. Huizar said another issue is that a clinic will open and disappeara month or two later, leaving a vacant storefront as a target forvandalism. However, others, such as Councilman Bill Rosendahl, have said theban on clinics would mean that many people who can't grow marijuanaon their own would be denied access to a drug they need. Mike Shimpock of the United Food and Commercial Workers, whichrepresents workers at 23 clinics around the city, urged the councilto adopt the less onerous provision. "There is nothing gentle about what the City Council isconsidering," Shimpock said, referring to a plan dubbed a "gentleban." "It is a cruel measure that will take away the medicine thatso many people need. "What we are calling for is to keep the responsible shops open,"Shimpock said. "People need access to their medication." The proposal to ban dispensaries in the city comes amid an ongoingfederal crackdown on marijuana dispensaries that operate on afor-profit basis, violating California law. This week, federal authorities filed a pair of asset forfeiturelawsuits against two Santa Fe Springs properties that house threedispensaries, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in LosAngeles. Officials also sent out warning letters to property owners andoperators of 34 other dispensaries doing business or recentlyclosed in Santa Fe Springs, Whittier, South El Monte, La Mirada,Diamond Bar, Artesia, Paramount, South Gate, Commerce, Agoura Hillsand Malibu, U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte said in a statement. The warning letters give property owners and operators 14 days tocome into compliance or risk potential civil or criminal actions. Federal officials said the targeted establishments are not justviolating federal law, which generally does not recognize the useof marijuana for any reason, but also have been flouting Californialaw. "Under federal law, the distribution of marijuana ... is prohibitedexcept under very limited circumstances not applicable here. Thegovernment is informed and believes that at all times relevant tothis complaint, the operation of the marijuana stores on thedefendant property was not (and is not) permitted under Californialaw," according to the lawsuits filed in Los Angeles federal courtTuesday. Prosecutors contend that California's compassionate use laws do notpermit dispensaries to operate on a for-profit basis. A total of 12 marijuana-related asset forfeiture complaints havebeen filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the seven-countyCentral District of California. Combined with the warning letters,federal prosecutors have targeted a total of 220 dispensaries andgrowing operations in the district, according to Birotte. The hazy regulations and enforcement of medical marijuanadispensaries has been an issue in the city of L.A. Earlier this year, police in the north San Fernando Valley shutdown all pot shops in Northridge, Granada Hills and Chatsworth - onthe grounds that the dispensaries were operating on a retail salesbasis of cash and carry. Yet last year, Los Angeles voters passed Measure M to tax medicalmarijuana receipts. The city of Los Angeles has been divided over how to best regulatethe dispensaries ever since Proposition 215 allowing for the saleof medical marijuana was approved in 1996. City News Service contributed to this report. rick.orlov@dailynews.com 213-978-0390 twitter.com/rickorlov. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as China Automotive Diagnostic Tools , China Truck Diagnostic Tool, and more. For more , please visit Truck Diagnostic Tool today!
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