Bid to overturn L.A. pot shop ban qualifies for ballot

The city clerk says activists had turned in enough valid signatures needed to force a vote on a law that bars the sale of cannabis but allows groups of 3 or less to grow and share it.

Activists seeking to strike down a ban on medical marijuana outlets in Los Angeles saw their challenge qualify for the ballot Monday, dealing a setback to the city's latest attempt at a crackdown.

Backers of medical marijuana dispensaries needed 27,425 valid signatures to force a referendum on a law that prohibits the sale of cannabis but allows groups of three people or fewer to cultivate and share the drug.

City Clerk June Lagmay said a statistical sampling of the signatures submitted showed that activists had turned in 110% of the amount needed to qualify for the ballot.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pot-ban-20120918,0,4041164.story