The City of Downey moved closer to prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries from operating in the city when the Planning Commission on Wednesday agreed with city administrators that the benefits of marijuana collectives to residents are “far outweighed” by the violent crime that oftentimes besiege the clinics.

The Commission unanimously approved a resolution that formally recommends the City Council bar the dispensaries from operating in the city.

The City Council, which enacted a moratorium on medical marijuana collectives late last year, is expected to hold a public hearing on the issue in the coming weeks. The moratorium is scheduled to expire Nov. 10.

“There is a small minority of residents who may enjoy the benefits [of a medical marijuana dispensary], but the adverse effects far outweigh the benefits,” said planning commissioner Robert Kiefer, before the body voted 5-0 for recommendation against the dispensaries.

California voters approved the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes in 1996. The state created a voluntary medical marijuana identification card program in 2003 to protect residents from state marijuana laws.