Medical marijuana dispensaries could soon be more tightly regulated in the city of San Diego. New rules being considered by the city council Monday could change that.
The new regulations would dictate where and when dispensaries can operate. Councilman Todd Gloria says the rules will reduce the number of dispensaries in the city. But he says customers will still be able to get their medical marijuana.
"Because we are an extremely large city, there will still be plenty of places where these can operate. But the difference will be that they won't be deeply within residential neighborhoods. They won't be in places that aren't regulated," he said.
Gloria said dispensaries will have to follow strict guidelines like having security methods in place, and doing background checks on employees.
The regulations being considered are the product of the city's medical marijuana task force that's been meeting since 2009. Gloria said the task force is being held up as a model for other cities a way to craft similar legislation.
