It's pretty much a free-for-all in the regulation of California's medical marijuana dispensaries, and state lawmakers should be taking the blame. In 1996, voters clearly signaled their desire to legalize pot for medicinal purposes, and yet the legislature never figured out how to properly regulate the business. Now that the business is out of control, the feds are stepping in. This week's chat with Steve Julian looks at the mess. Also, why Blue Shield's reimbursement of health insurance premiums is good news but for the wrong reasons. Available at kpcc.org and podcast (Business Update with Mark Lacter). Transcript is after jump
More by Mark Lacter:
American-US Air settlement with DOJ includes small tweak at LAXSocal housing market going nowhere fast
Amazon keeps pushing for faster L.A. delivery
Another rugged quarter for Tribune Co. papers
How does Stanford compete with the big boys?
Those awful infographics that promise to explain and only distort
Best to low-ball today's employment report
Further fallout from airport shootings
Crazy opening for Twitter*
Should Twitter be valued at $18 billion?
Recent California stories:
Volcanic cinder in Owens ValleyHoliday shopping: On your marks, get set... spend!
14 California bookstores in nine days
Uproar over health care sites could be settling down
BART strike to end Tuesday in the Bay Area
New at LA Observed
On the Politics Page
Go to Politics
Sign up for daily email from LA Observed