L.A. will consider pot ordinance

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles City Council has agreed to take up a controversial medical marijuana ordinance that could force most dispensaries to close.

Council President Eric Garcetti's office says the matter won't come up next week but perhaps the week after, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

Council action was sought on the matter after a Superior Court judge ruled earlier this week the city illegally extended a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries.

Under state law medical marijuana cannot be cultivated or distributed for profit.

Most dispensaries in Los Angeles that sell marijuana call those transactions donations and say they are intended to recoup operating costs.

"We're aware of the public's demand for medical marijuana," City Attorney Carmen Trutanich said. "We have to make sure we don't interrupt that but we have to make sure that the pubic is also protected."