Medical cannabis patients and advocates are still digesting the RAND Corporation report on medical cannabis dispensing centers and crime. The report echoes research conducted by Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the nation’s leading medical cannabis patient advocacy organization, and input for Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck. Chief Beck told the city’s Planning and Land Use management Committee in 2010 that there was no evidence that medical cannabis facilities lead to crime in neighborhoods. The report briefly discusses whylocal regulation is important in the current federal climate:
Recent events promise to bolster the importance of decentralized but locally regulated medical marijuana dispensaries. U.S. Attorneys have sent letters to officials in at least ten states that have been trying to implement centrally regulated supply systems. These letters urge caution, reminding the governors and their legislatures that the federal government will “vigorously” prosecute those involved in the manufacturing and distribution of marijuana, even if they are in compliance with state law. An implication of this federal action is that small-scale privately run dispensaries, operating in the shadow of federal law, will continue to be the most viable source of medical marijuana. Our work aims to inform the debate on local approaches to regulating this market.
Download a copy of the RAND Corporation report and look for more analysis here soon.
Have you seen the good news about SB 847? California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed this bill, which would have required medical cannabis cooperatives and collectives to be located at least 600 feet from residential zones and uses. That would have choked off safe access in many communities. The veto is good news in California, but how it happened is important for medical cannabis advocates nationwide. The big story about SB 847 is that grassroots participation works!
“SAN DIEGO – After listening to almost two hours of public commentary, both in favor and against repealing the ordinances that attempted to regulate medicinal marijuana co-ops, the city council reluctantly voted 6 to 2 in favor of repeal.
The two repealed ordinances would have prohibited medicinal marijuana co-ops from operating in commercial zones, and within 600 ft of schools, parks, churches, day cares, and each other. Forcing San Diego County medicinal marijuana patients to travel to a few industrial zones in the city’s out skirts to obtain their medication…”
Medical cannabis collectives that are qualified to register under the amended ordinance in Los Angeles can submit their Notice of Intent to Register beginning on Monday, February 14. Collectives must provide documentation to prove they were open before September 14, 2007, whether or not they registered with the City Clerk’s office pursuant to the now-defunct moratorium. Notices must be filed before the City Clerk’s office closes on Friday, February 18, at 4:00 PM. Operators must be diligent in meeting the filing deadline. Those who fail to comply will not be allowed to register under the ordinance, and may be subject to enforcement.
This is the fourth installment of a documentary by Eric Katz examining the long debate about adopting an ordinance regulating medical cannabis in the City of Los Angeles in 2010. The footage includes elected officials, collective operators, voters, and patients.
