A Los Angeles Superior Court judge Friday morning shot down a bid by medical marijuana patients to block the city’s ordinance regulating dispensaries from taking effect Monday.
A group of 12 patients with illnesses ranging from anxiety and menopause to lupus and AIDS had sued the city and asked the judge to issue a temporary restraining order preventing the city from enforcing the ordinance, which is expected to shut down more than 400 dispensaries. They contended the law would unconstitutionally bar patients’ access to their medicine.
Judge James Chalfant said because more than 100 dispensaries will be allowed to remain open in the city, patients will continue to have access and there was no reason for him to issue an emergency order stopping the city.
The decision clears the way for the city to begin its enforcement effort next week.
• Read the full Los Angeles Times story.
