Bid to Repeal LA Pot Shop Ban Makes Ballot

Angelenos will be truckin' to the polls now that supporters of a bid to repeal the city's recent ban on medical marijuana dispensaries have gathered enough signatures to get the issue on the ballot. They collected 10% more than than the 27,425 valid John Hancocks they needed for the measure to qualify as a referendum, reports the Los Angeles Times. The issue can go straight to the March ballot when voters will choose a mayor and eight City Council members—the most likely scenario—or the council can opt to rescind the ban before it gets that far.

The new referendum is backed by several groups, including the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 770, which started unionizing marijuana dispensary workers this year. A representative for the pot shops says backers are "prepared to go to the ballot, but we'd rather deal" with the City Council now. "It would be much simpler for everyone involved," she adds. (More Los Angeles stories.)