A quick look at the May 5 L.A. Times' interactive map of medical marijuana dispensaries shows at least six shops in 90026 (Echo Park's main zip) that have been ordered to cease (legal) operations by Monday, June 7. Five of them are on Sunset Blvd. Lots of empty storefronts coming our way.

Meanwhile, a few days ago the Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA) posted an interesting article sketching the history of marijuana's illegality in this hemisphere, in the context of the current high level of gun-play just over the border. Author argues that the effort to delegalize marijuana in the early part of the 20th century -- and later keep it illegal -- was deeply racist and corrupt.