Measure KK No Go, Yes on LL, City Council Stays Same in Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — With all 22 of 22 precincts reporting in, the City of Laguna Beach's look to rescind the citywide ban on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries was overruled by an overwhelming 71-percent who voted "no" on the initiative.

Measure KK would have allowed two medical marijuana dispensaries to operate within Laguna Beach. With the added pressure of California Proposition 64 passing to legalize recreational marijuana, those dispensaries would have been able to sell marijuana to adults 21-years-old and older.

The outspoken group "Together Laguna Can Defeat Measure KK" was crucial in getting the word out, even with last minute mailers pleading city residents to vote yes on the city ballot measure.

The movement to defeat measure KK was endorsed by Laguna Beach City Council, Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Trustees, Visit Laguna Beach and the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce among others.

A wide margin also voted for Measure LL, the Laguna Beach Vital Services Measure. The passage of the Transient Occupancy Tax, now raised from 10-percent to 12-percent, will be paid by tourists who stay in hotels and other lodging establishments for a period of thirty (30) days or less, according to the City of Laguna beach.

The passage of LL with a 79-percent Yes vote will increase the amount placed in the City's General Fund for general City operations and services, according to the city.

The tax will pay for the protection of beaches from pollution, police and fire protection and emergency response, public works, and utility undergrounding to prevent fire and power outages.

For Laguna Beach City Council, incumbents Bob Whalen and Mayor Steve Dicterow retain their seat.