Mid Term

Not in my backyard! I approve the legalization of marijuana for the tax revenues it would produce and accept the fact that for some, it brings needed relief to those suffering sever pain. However, I do not think that a mere 1000 foot buffer is sufficient enough distance from our children. It is quite apparent from the map above that schools are quite numerous in the city of Los Angeles. Upon a closer look (map below) it is obvious that much of Los Angeles is residential and it is difficult to find areas that fit within this buffer zone. I feel that areas prone to more industrial areas would prove to be safer on the whole.
In the area just to the west of the Santa Monica Blvd. label in the lower map shows a dispensary with a school within it's buffer zone, and yet another one further to the west. I recognize the honest need for alternative methods of pain relief, but does it need to be this close to a school with children? Marijuana is considered a "gateway" drug, and whether you support that theory or not, some of those who choose to use it are not always the sort of people you want around children. I feel a better alternative would be to allow dispensaries to operate in more commercial areas or industrial parks, places where children are not likely to be exposed to some of the less than attractive aspects of marijuana. Further GIS mapping could locate areas with a more significant buffer zone between children and marijuana.