El Monte, CA – The City Council voted Tuesday to move forward with new rules allowing operators on the business side of the medical marijuana industry — distributors, manufacturers and lab testers among them — to set up shop in the city, while still banning retail outlets selling the drug to patients.

The council voted 3-1 for the ordinance. City Councilman J. Gomez was the lone “no” vote, while Councilwoman Norma Macias was absent.

The ordinance prohibits cannabis retailers, dispensaries, microbusinesses and delivery services city wide. But the city now allows businesses that cultivate, manufacture, test or distribute medical marijuana.

Under the new city rules, research labs would be allowed in the Flair Park area of El Monte. And manufacturers and distributors would be allowed in the city’s northwest industrial area and in the East Valley Entryway area. [Read More at San Gabriel Valley Tribune]