L.A. medical marijuana ordinance upheld by judge

A local judge had upheld the controversial medical marijuana ordinance enacted by Los Angeles, denying motions from 29 medical marijuana dispensaries for a preliminary injunction.

The decision came after Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Anthony J. Mohr held a series of hearings over many months on a host of challenges raised by the collectives. It represents a major victory for the city attorney’s office, which has invested considerable time and expense in defending the city’s ordinance from a phalanx of lawyers working for dispensaries. 

“It has been a long wait but well worth it,” said Jane Usher, a special assistant city attorney. “It is absolutely gratifying to have the city’s ordinance validated.”

In his 26-page opinion, Mohr dispenses with all of the arguments raised by collectives, including that they have a vested right to continue operating in the city. Usher called this a key ruling for the city. “Had that argument prevailed, we would be addressing the claims of more than 200, perhaps as many as 500 collectives,” she said. “I never felt that argument had a shred of credibility.”