Implementation, Not Eradication (Updated)
September 29th, 2009Posted by Don Duncan
You might think the job of law enforcement is enforcing the law, but that’s not the way some California officers and organizations see it when it comes to the state’s medical cannabis statute. The latest disturbing evidence of this is an upcoming “training luncheon” on “The Eradication of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County,” hosted by the California Narcotic Officers Association (CNOA).
What’s shocking is not that the CNOA would resist state law – the organization is one of the oldest and most virulent opponents of medical cannabis in the state – but who will be joining them in the effort. Headlining the training on how to close down medical cannabis collectives are Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley and Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, and police officers from Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Alhambra.
Despite the proven success of cities and counties that have established sound regulations, despite the legislature’s effort to ensure uniform implementation around that state, and despite the state Attorney General’s guidelines, eradicating safe access remains a high priority for some very powerful people in law enforcement in Los Angeles County.
Documents obtained by Americans for Safe Access (ASA) indicate this is at least the second time the CNOA has hosted a training like this for law enforcement. Why is the CNOA and some local law enforcement so worried about medical cannabis right now?
Maybe it is because the Obama Administration has signaled a willingness to change federal medical cannabis policy, and local police will no longer be able to go to their federal counterparts to end-run state law. It may also be because California courts have handed patients a series of victories, ruling that federal law does not preempt state law, police must return medicine, and patients’ collectives are legal.
Perhaps the most important reason why the CNOA and local law enforcement are rallying to close collectives is that the slow march towards regulating their operation is nearing an endgame in the state’s largest city, Los Angeles. Newly-elected City Attorney Trutanich has taken the lead in obstructing progress there, joining his predecessor in consistently opposing any regulations that create community oversight and facilitate access for patients.
Trutanich and other opponents of safe access are right to worry that city regulations will legitimize collectives and improve community relations. This is exactly what has happened in dozens of cities and counties that have already adopted ordinances regulating medical cannabis. State-wide research by ASA found that communities with sensible regulations have reduced crime and complaints around collectives.
These training luncheons are evidence of a cynical campaign by CNOA and law enforcement to interfere in the implementation of state law. They are still fighting the battle they lost when California voters approved Proposition 215 thirteen years ago. Changing the law can be easier than changing some people’s attitude. Medical cannabis patients and supporters should call on law enforcement to end this culture of resistance and work in good faith with elected officials to adopt guidelines that protect legal patients and their communities.
ASA is inviting medical cannabis supporters to join us in a peaceful demonstration in front of the Montebello County Club, where the Quiet Canyon Restaurant is located, on Thursday, October 8. This is our chance to tell the CNOA and Los Angeles law enforcement that we want implementation, not eradication. Join us in front of the county club entrance at the corner of N. Garfield Ave. and Via San Clemente in Montebello (near the 60 Freeway) at 10:30 AM. Join the LA-ASA email list for updated information.
September 29th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Does this mean that private residence, backyard like my collective of 11 medical cannabis patients are in danger? We are a group of 11 friends, all HIV+, or with glaucoma, degenerative disc disease and other long-standing medical conditions. We do no selling, no one comes to our home except collective members, and we all work the soil and contribute financially. Are we going to have to register and be inspected, or worry that our home is too close to a park or church??
September 30th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I plan on purchasing a ticket and attending the luncheon….anway have a tie clasp camera /smile
October 1st, 2009 at 10:15 am
What we are witnessing is exactly how manipulative and cunning our Government can really be. It is a clear sign that if our Gov’t wanted to initiate any kind of euthanasia program, they will secretly plot to do so – it’s part in work! This is scary folks. Our government, the most that lied to obtain their political position, are directly sinister to your face, and are directly plotting to wreak havoc upon your personal wellbeing. “These” officials DO NOT care about any patient, nor any patient’s disposition of welfare.
Patient’s, advocates, caregivers…IT”S TIME!!! It’s time to get angry. Not angry inciting physical threat or harm, but angry that motivates the zeal of your minds. We are smarter. We have made LAW that our own Government fails to uphold. Why are “THEY” not being held accountable for the ignorance of their crime? And, if this were you or I, guess what? You get silver shackles and bracelets, as a token of “THEIR” appreciation, yet to remind you that “THEY” are above the law; “THEY” curtail law to the convenience of their wicked agenda.
For every meeting “THEY” have, we need to be there in droves. The MMj Community needs to show sustaining power! For every agenda they plot to seed and defeat us with, we need to emanate with the tools to continually uproot their evil.
We can not lose hope – for hope is what has brought us thus far. We have 13 years of fortifying law, that our own government keeps trying to take away. Can we say dictatorship? The highest official in the land has declared ‘New Policy;’ the only new policy we have seen is more effort to eradicating MMj communities.
Support your cause! MMj needs you like your relief needs it. This meeting is one of many efforts to undermine your personal choice in relief obtainment. Dammit! It’s time we tell them to back off! Everyone of us is made mockery to the purpose of MMj, whenever it is that “THEY” present “THEIR” reasons to oppose it. Stoner’s fight prohibition for a more recreational life, MMj patients fight for relief to have a more tolerable life! Big difference.
Stabilizing MMj means eradicating the “stonerness” out of our imagery. Way to many of these co-ops fail to emplace any type of protocol standard. We need to rid the co-ops simply here to get rich. These type of co-ops do nothing in fortifying the worthiness of Medical Cannabis. Unfortunate, these greed co-ops ruin it for the many co-ops here to actually render a professional service of better personal care to their patients.
Again, support the real cause of MMj. It’s our relief we keep allowing “THEM” to carelessly play with. Speak you mind, it’s your First Amendment’s right! Hope to see as many MMj patients in Montebello, fighting for a real cause!
p.s. Montebello is BIG time anti-MMj, mediocre government. More reason to be there in groves to quell ignorance!!!
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:09 am
It is time to eradicate CNOA. Mendacious thugs with lobbyists? Bad idea!
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:07 am
Anakka Says: “I plan on purchasing a ticket and attending the luncheon….anway have a tie clasp camera /smile”
If you do. I’ll buy you an Ice Cream. Report back promptly.
The age of the Helpless Hippie is OVER!!!!
October 5th, 2009 at 6:45 am
[...] in Montebello Info: don@safeaccessnow.org — Read more about the CNOA training luncheon at http://safeaccessnow.org/blog/?p=316 Read “Advancing Medical Cannabis Regulations in Los Angeles” at [...]