During its meeting this evening, the Downey planning commission will consider asking the City Council to revise the city charter to permanently bar medical marijuana dispensaries from operating in the city. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Citing federal law that still makes it a crime to grow, use or possess marijuana, city administrators recommend the charter be amended to prohibit the dispensaries.

The City Council last year enacted a moratorium on medical marijuana clinics that is scheduled to expire Nov. 10.

In a report prepared by community development director Brian Saeki and senior planner David Blumenthal, city officials also cited reports of violent crime—specifically robberies and homicides—at dispensaries in neighboring cities.

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