Ordinance proposed to manage Fresno smoke shops fails council vote

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Fresno City Council proposal to regulate smoke shops in the city has failed in a tied vote.

The 3-3 vote followed hours of debate on the measure sponsored by Councilmembers Miguel Arias, Nelson Esparza and Annalisa Perea.

They say the city has found a number of violations at a number of smoke shops across the city.

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The problems include issues with city code violations, the illegal sale of cannabis products and illegal gambling.

The measure would have cut the number of smoke shops in the city.