KCET points a finger at LA City Council
May 14th, 2009 | by Don Duncan |KCET’s SoCal Connected broadcast a story about the proliferation of medical cannabis collectives in Los Angeles tonight. The report was very critical of the City Council and City Attorney for failing to enforce the Interim Control Ordinance establishing a moratorium on new collectives in the city and for not moving fast enough to adopt a permanent ordinance.
This report is the latest evidence of growing frustration in Los Angeles neighborhoods. The Mid-Wilshire Neighborhood Council adopted a resolution this week asking the City Council to enforce the moratorium. They join the Melrose-Fairfax Neighborhood Watch, Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, and others community groups in speaking up about medical cannabis. Many of the principals in those organizations were featured in the report.
Bad media is bad news for patients and providers in Los Angeles. Councilmembers must adopt a permanent ordinance before the moratorium expires on September 14, and we do not want them having that debate in the context of a public outcry. This report spared collectives and cooperatives the harshest criticisms – making only passing reference to marketing aimed at young people and profiteering. We can expect more critical coverage if the public outcry grows.
Tags: city attorney, collectives, cooperatives, dennis zine, jose huizar, los angeles city council, neighborhood activists
By louie on May 15, 2009
Dale how are you this is mother nurture in sd I have put together a true non profit that has been working for 4 years because of compassion and honesty.I have talked to the da and council members about guidlines and they know that what I am doing is what needs to be done with all of the collectives
By Don C on May 19, 2009
The problem is dispensaries opening up next to “sensitive” locations like schools, churches, etc. that giving clinics a bad rep!! Be classy and discrete like it was in 2004!! Dont have a six foot neon pot leaf in your window!!
By Scott on May 19, 2009
Actually the problem is that noone seems to care that the ICO stated no new dispensaries are allowed to open and operate until after their hardship was heard and approved by the city counsel. There is a rogue group (who shall remain nameless) that is just collecting from just under $3000 to as high as $5000 to $6000 to open up new locations and file the hardship. THey do not tell their “clients” that they can not open until approved. THis is making it look as though the dispensaries really are not to promote the medicinal uses of marijuana, but merely to turn a profit and provide protection for illegal operations.
This is becoming a sad and pitiful bastardization of what was once a wonderful means of providing assistance to those in medical need.
As an attorney who used to work with the dispensaries, I will no longer have anything to do with any of them until these problems are resolved.
By Sarah on May 19, 2009
This report claims that dispensaries selling merchandise, “including sneakers” is evidence that they are targetting minors. What? That’s non-sensical. Just like most local news reports.