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Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Outlawed in Madera County

Madera -  Madera County supervisors voted unanimously, to outlaw medical marijuana dispensaries in their county.

The sheriff, who spoke in support of the ban, say he's ready to shut them down.

"The ones operating now are doing so illegally, we thought we'd wait until after the hearing before we shut them down again," said Madera County Sheriff John Anderson.

Medical marijuana users and sellers, pleaded with county supervisors to allow them to continue selling the alternative medicine.

"This is a natural remedy that god has given us, and they're trying to stop us from providing it to all those in need," said Joanne Mendoza, a manager at one of Madera County's two medical marijuana dispensaries.

Patients still have a right to use marijuana with a prescription; they just have to get it in another county.

"I have allergic reactions to pain medications and I can't take them," said Kathleen Fay, who attended the hearing and uses marijuana to ease her pain.

Federal law prohibits the use of marijuana for medical use, but state law allows it.

In 1996, 59% of Madera County residents voted against legalizing medical marijuana.

The county's counsel found that marijuana dispensaries would "negatively impact the health, safety, and welfare of the community" and recommended the ban.

The Madera County sheriff says cities with marijuana dispensaries saw increase in crime.

"They've got statistics that show crime rate rising dramatically," said Sheriff Anderson.

There are two medical marijuana dispensaries in Madera County.