Town Hall: Medical Marijuana in Venice

VNC to Hold Town Hall about Medical Marijuana in Venice

The Venice Neighborhood Council (VNC) will hold a Town Hall about Medical Marijuana in Venice at 6:30pm on Thursday, November 5th, in the Westminster Elementary School’s Auditorium, 1010 Abbot Kinney Boulevard (enter from Westminster).

You can view the flyer for this Town Hall at http://venicenc.org/files/MedicalMarijuana_Flyer.pdf

California State Law allows individuals to use and cultivate marijuana for their personal use, when recommended by a Doctor, to treat certain medical conditions. The law also allows such individuals to form “collectives” for the purpose of cultivation and distribution. In LA, marijuana grown by the collectives is available to their members at “dispensaries,” which currently operate out of retail stores with no restrictions as to location. The number of dispensaries has exploded in the last two years. The LA Times reported that some twenty-five stores in Venice are either distributing marijuana or have applied for a license to do so.

Both the LA County District Attorney and the City Attorney have said in recent weeks that they believe that almost all medical marijuana “sales” taking place at the dispensaries are illegal. While their assertions have not been tested in court yet, they have stated their intent to begin prosecutions.

It is against this backdrop that the Los Angeles City Council will take up a new, more restrictive ordinance regulating medical marijuana the first week in November, just days before the scheduled Town Hall.^** Representatives from the City Attorney’s office (author of the proposed ordinance) and City Council District 11 (Bill Rosendahl’s) office will be on hand to talk about the situation in Venice, explain the proposed changes to city law and answer questions. Mike Newhouse, President of the VNC, will lead the Town Hall in a discussion about medical marijuana and the ordinance. Comments from attendees will be recorded and submitted to the District 11 and Mayor’s offices as part of the meeting.

This is an opportunity for VNC stakeholders to make their voices heard. The discussion couldn’t be more timely. It is likely that what we say at the Town Hall will influence the City’s direction on medical marijuana.

Snacks and coffee will be provided.

There is no charge for this event and it is open to the public. Contact Outreach@VeniceNC.org or call 310.606.2015 for more information.

^** Click http://venicenc.org/files/MMOrdinance_10202009.pdf to view the proposed ordinance. Click http://venicenc.org/files/MMOrdinance_CoverLtr.pdf to view the Cover Letter received from the City Attorney’s office with the proposed ordinance

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