Yesterday we referred to a medical cannabis dispensary in California having a new marijuana vending machine. It turns out that dispensary – The Dispensary Store – and four others have been given citations by the city of Santa Ana and advised to close their doors.

Santa Ana has a ban on medical marijuana dispensaries, so under city law they are all illegal. Of course if the city banned pharmacies there would be an outcry over the discrimination.

Since the city banned dispensaries in 2007 they have issued 273 fines and closed 66 dispensaries, with another 39 under investigation. The city has collected over $35,000 in fine money from dispensaries.

CA Assembly Bill 2312 would make it illegal for counties and cities to ban dispensaries and collectives (in most cases).

While local political control is important, it is also important not to discriminate against sick people and restrict their supply of medicine. More uniform rules are needed in California when it comes to medical marijuana.

- Joe Klare