This is a preview of Compassionate Use, a documentary by Eric Katz. It examines the medical cannabis ordinance passed through Los Angeles City Hall in early 2010. It is a study of local city government, business owners, voters, and patients in conflict. Allof the collective operators featured in the preview are members of the Greater Los Angeles Collective Alliance (GLACA), a voluntary association of collectives organized to develop and promote safety and operational guidelines.
“LA City Attorney Revives Cynical Bush Tactic of Threatening Medical Marijuana Dispensary Landlords
Finally, nearly two weeks after Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich issued a press release announcing nuisance abatement actions against local dispensaries, Americans for Safe Access has unearthed one of at least 18 letters sent to medical marijuana providers and their landlords threatening imminent eviction.
Under the Bush Administration, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) used the similar tactic of sending letters to more than 300 dispensary landlords in California, threatening criminal prosecution and seizure of their property if they did not evict their tenants. Although this cynical tactic resulted in the closure of dozens of dispensaries across the state, the federal government’s effort to undermine the implementation of California’s medical marijuana law has thankfully failed.”
From the Sacramento Bee today - ”L.A. looks to rein in rapid spread of marijuana dispensaries”
“The medicinal marijuana flow is coming to an end in the palm-shaded “vapor room” of the Pure Life Alternative Wellness Center. Los Angeles’ restrictive new ordinance to stem the spread of medical marijuana dispensaries in the city will ban on-site pot consumption. It may force the closure of as many as 800 outlets…”
How will the City of Los Angeles pay for enforcement of its new medical cannabis ordinance and the anticipated litigation? That may be a hard question for City Councilmembers to answer in the current economic climate. The city must find over $200 million before July, and next year’s budget shortfall could run as high as $484 million. KCET’s So Cal Connected reports on the financial crisis, pointing out that cuts to the City Attorney’s office may make enforcing the medical cannabis ordinance more difficult.
Councilmembers may want to rethink the new ordinance, which will close most of the city’s medical cannabis collectives. California NORML estimates that collectives generate $1 billion in annual sales, and that does not include licensing fees and jobs created. The medical needs of patients are certainly more important than economic policy. However, cash strapped cities like Los Angeles should think twice about policies that cut off revenue and jobs, while generating costly litigation.
Congress Questions Treasury, DOJ; Nat'l League of Cities Studies Cannabis; Updates from CA, NJ, RI, DC, CO, ME, MT, SD, AZ, OR; Recent Research on Delivery, Mental Health, Transplants, Anti-inflammation, GI, MS […]
