Ground Report

Dozens of clinics operate under a 1996 initiative that allows medical marijuana use, and a state law that allows for collective growing of marijuana. But after a State Supreme Court ruling earlier this year, Los Angeles county D.A. Steve Cooley told the Los Angeles Times that he has concluded that "over-the-counter sales are illegal. Most if not all of the dispensaries in the state operate on that basis."

"The vast, vast, vast majority, about 100%, of dispensaries in Los Angeles County and the city are operating illegally, they are dealing marijuana illegally, according to our theory," Cooley said"The time is right to deal with this problem."

Some in California are questioning the timing of this move, considering that Medical Marijuana brings in $18 million a year in tax revenue. That’s revenue the state could dearly use as they go through a massive budget crises.

Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), a group which advocates the nation-wide legalization of cannabis for adults is angry about the decision.

"Last year, the state’s attorney general issued a legal opinion that clearly stated that ‘a properly organized and operated collective or cooperative that dispenses medical marijuana through a storefront may be lawful under California law,’" MPP noted in Opposing Views. "Maybe Cooley didn’t get the memo."

While the Los Angeles county D.A. is attempting to close down the Medical Marijuana clinics, the people of the state are trying to complete the process of completely legalizing the drug, and imposing a tax on it. Marijuana is currently California’s top cash crop, and should it become legalized, it could produce upwards of $1.3 Billion in tax revenue.