SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The City Council Tuesday made official the repeal of restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries in the city of San Diego, making such establishments illegal.
On second reading, the council voted 7-1, with Marti Emerald dissenting, in favor of the ordinance rescinding the restrictions that were approved earlier this year.
Supporters of medical marijuana collectives considered the laws to be too stringent and gathered enough signatures to force them to be repealed, or for the issue to be placed before voters on next year's ballot.
In July, the City Council voted to repeal the restrictions, citing the cost of placing a measure on the ballot.
Ironically, San Diego returns to the situation in which no dispensaries are allowed within city limits. Just last week, City Attorney Jan Goldsmith filed civil complaints seeking to shut down a dozen pot shops he believes are too close to schools.
One of the two ordinances that had been in place kept dispensaries at least 600 feet from homes, schools, churches and other sensitive areas, but did allow them in certain zones. Proprietors would have had to apply for an expensive operating permit.
In other council action today, the panel unanimously agreed, without discussion, to pay $156,244 to a firefighter who sued in December 2008, claiming retaliation in employment.
Paul Vandeveld claimed he was suspended and denied a promotion to captain because he reported harassment of a colleague and cooperated with an investigation into pension spiking -- a tactic for employees to boost the compensation later used to determine retirement benefits.
The City Council tentatively approved the settlement in closed session in May, according to city documents.
