The City Council rejected plans to include residential uses as sensitive uses, and opted instead to prevent patients collectives from being located “on a lot abutting, across the street or alley from, or having a common corner with” any residential use, including mixed use properties. If approved with the final draft of the ordiance next week, this provision may displace hundreds of collectives, many of whom have never been problematic in their neighborhoods.

In written comments to the City Council, I said:

“Well-regulated medical cannabis collectives are good and inconspicuous neighbors, and there is no need that these facilities be separated from sensitive or residential uses. Los Angeles Chief of Police Charlie Beck told the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee last year that an increase in crime was not typically associated with these facilities. Security requirements, hours of operation, and other measures in the draft ordinance are sufficient to protect public safety. If buffer zones are needed, however, they should be at least more lenient than the location regulations required of the city’s adult-oriented businesses, which according to Los Angeles Municipal Code 12.70(c), must be located more than 500 feet from schools, churches, and parks.

Requiring collectives to be located at least one thousand feet from residential uses is not just unnecessary – it is unworkable. Residential and commercial uses exist in close proximity in most of our neighborhoods. A one-thousand foot buffer zone from residential uses will eliminate virtually all suitable properties, as seen on maps prepared by the Planning Department. References to a “vacant residential lot” and “lot improved with a residential building or mixed use building containing residential units” should be removed from Section 45.19.6.3(A)(2). A more reasonable approach would be to allow collectives in any commercial or industrial zone, without regard to residential uses.”

The City Council may vote to adopt the final ordiannce as soon as Tuesday, January19.