Shortly after rising each day, Ramon Armendariz takes a few puffs of marijuana from a glass pipe to ease pain from the herniated discs in his back. Later, he sprays a concentrated solution made from the cannabis plant on his aching back and on inflamed blisters brought on by the shingles virus. The drug, he says, allows him to walk with the help of a cane and relieves some of his physical misery from old sports injuries and numerous car accidents. And marijuana leaves him more alert than prescription medications like Percocet and OxyContin, he said. [continues 1240 words]
Riverside County officials said Wednesday they have begun legal action to close about three dozen medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated areas. Attorneys filed for an injunction and issued legislative subpoenas against two of the stores, the latest volley since the Board of Supervisors authorized crackdowns on Dec. 13. The county asked a Riverside County Superior Court judge to declare Platinum Collective in Home Gardens, near Riverside, a public nuisance and issue an injunction to shut down operations at the shop in the 12000 block of Magnolia Avenue, east of McKinley Street. According to the Dec. 21 court filing, the dispensary creates traffic problems, and officials said it poses a safety issue for children who walk past the shop on their way to Villegas Middle School. [continues 349 words]
