SF Supes Take Aim at Head Shops

An ordinance that would ban new head shops on San Francisco's Haight Street passed a Board of Supervisors committee Monday.
     
Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi introduced the ordinance, which would prohibit the opening of any new businesses that sell tobacco and marijuana  smoking paraphernalia for a period of three years, according to Mirkarimi's  office. The ban could be extended by a future board vote.

It would not affect existing head shops or medical marijuana dispensaries.

There are already 14 head shops on Haight Street and neighbors are saying that is enough, according to Mirkarimi's office. An increase in the  number of such stores has raised concerns about drug sales, loitering and  noise.

The ordinance passed the board's Land Use and Economic Development Committee and will be heard before the full board on June 23, Mirkarimi aide  Rick Galbreath said.