Measures D, E and F Courtesy of MedicalJane
On Tuesday, May 21, your rights to safe access as a medical marijuana patient in Los Angeles will again be at risk. Despite repeated efforts by the city to both limit and ban medical marijuana dispensaries in the past three years, there are an estimated 850 dispensaries (possibly upwards of 1,500) operating in Los Angeles. Three proposed ordinances are to be voted on that would regulate these de facto dispensaries in an attempt to bring some austerity to a previously wavering industry. If none of the ballot initiatives pass on May 21, the Los Angeles City Council may revive its efforts to ban dispensaries completely after the California Supreme Court ruling allowed them to do so. To win, a proposition must get more YES votes than NO—obviously. However, if more than one proposition gains support, the one with the highest total of YES votes will be the winner. If the NO votes outweigh all of the YES votes for every proposition, then nothing changes. That is why it is important for you to come out and vote one way or another; your access depends on it.
The Main Differences Between D, E and F
May 17 - 30, 2013
Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area
Ordinance E was originally put onto the ballot by the United Food and Commercial Workers, but was pushed to the sideline when its supporters agreed to back Measure D instead. Measure D was crafted by the same Los Angeles City Council that pushed to ban medical marijuana dispensaries in 2012 and has been described as a “Trojan horse” designed to shut down the majority of Los Angeles dispensaries and then force the others out of business through council action and federal raids. Its backers include both mayoral candidates as well as the city attorney. Measure D, or the “Medical Marijuana Collectives Initiative Ordinance” would limit the number of dispensaries allowing only the 135 dispensaries that were operating and registered under city laws before September 2007. The proposition would force almost 90 percent of existing shops (roughly 1,000) out of business. The remaining dispensaries would be forced to pay taxes of $60 per $1,000 of sales, close at 8 p.m., require background checks of their dispensary managers and employees, and would be restricted from opening within certain distances from schools, parks, libraries and other dispensaries. Measure F or “Regulation of Medical Marijuana for Safe Neighborhoods and Safe Access,” was created by patients and members of collectives. In some ways, Measures D and F are similar: they both raise the taxes from $50 to $60 per $1,000 in sales, and both impose zoning restrictions to keep dispensaries away from schools and other certain locations. However, the main difference is that Measure F will allow an unlimited amount of dispensaries. The ordinance would require a 10 p.m. closure, background checks of all managers, employees and volunteers, and each dispensary would be required to file with the city controller an audit of its operations to guarantee compliance with the law. 10
Freedom Riders Honored at UCLA
Additionally, Measure F requires dispensaries to have their medicine tested for harmful pesticides and toxins.
What this Means for Los Angeles
Supporters of Proposition D are aware that the passing of that ordinance would bring about mass federal raids on the state. But they support their ordinance by stating that, “Proposition D would reduce the nuisance that has helped prompt federal action.” According to the Los Angeles Times, a special assistant to City Attorney Carmen Trutanich said that if Proposition D is to pass, the city is not going to seek to shut down dispensaries that are following the law. The assistant, Jane Usher, added that the proposition “has been sanctioned” by the Supreme Court’s recent ruling and that if the court had ruled that municipalities could not legally ban dispensaries, Proposition D could’ve been challenged. Dale Gieringer, director of the California chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, stated that since there is no definite declaration that California dispensaries are permitted in the first place, nothing is going to change as a result of the ruling. This de facto situation is because the task force that was put in charge of clarifying the medical marijuana program that passed in 2003 couldn’t come to a consensus on how the cannabis would be distributed. “We’re hoping that the state will adopt a state regulation system that will calm local concerns about permitting dispensaries and create clear regulations,” Gieringer said. “We’d like to see state regulations like they have in Colorado.” Brad Hertz, the lawyer for Proposition D told the Huffington Post, “From our perspective, Proposition D is the best way to secure access to medical marijuana. If it passes and has the most votes, it means the city council, if they were to amend or repeal the measure, would have to go to voters for any change.” David Welch, the lawyer representing Proposition F (and a number of dispensaries in Los Angeles) argued that Proposition D is only going to lead to an eventual ban on all dispensaries by allowing federal raids on the dispensaries the proposition doesn’t cover. “If (Prop.) D passes, once the dispensaries close, they will never be allowed to open again, eliminating access forever in the City of Los Angeles,” Welch said. While this is true, if none of the propositions pass we are probably going to see a total ban on dispensaries in the city. It’s a lose-lose situation for some people involved. We encourage everyone to call your local dispensaries to get their opinions on the ordinances. Be sure to ask them if they are one of the original 135 dispensaries, this may influence their opinion just a bit. “It’s a matter of trying to work with the city to keep them happy and stay open,” said a manager of Buds & Roses Collective in Studio City, speaking strongly in favor of Proposition D. Buds & Roses Collective is in fact one of the first dispensaries in the city; the 12th she said.
Congratulations to former LA city councilman and San Pedro resident Robert Farrell and Robert Singleton for their historic contributions to civil rights. UCLA’s Undergraduate Students Association Council dedicated a plaque in honor of the UCLA Freedom Riders on May 14, the same day as the burning of a Freedom Rider’s bus in Anniston, Alabama in 1961. Approximately 50 years ago, despite the known dangers involved in this endeavor and warnings from police and other officials, students marched and showed the world the power of coming together. Robert Farrell was among them.
RANDOMLetters from p. 9
that we need to take a stand and make our opinions known! Mail your ballots ASAP or go the polls on Tuesday May 21 but VOTE !! Diane L. Middleton San Pedro
Koch LA Media Buy
The Koch brothers may be on the verge of destroying the Los Angeles Times. The billionaire brothers reportedly want to buy all eight Tribune Company newspapers and use these outlets to promote their extreme political agenda. They don’t care one bit about journalism—and they’re hoping to make an offer the Tribune Company can’t refuse. We can’t let this happen: The Tribune Company just emerged from bankruptcy and wants to unload its newspapers as quickly as possible. Let’s set a high bar for who should own the news in our city. Tell the company to sell the Times to a local owner who will: 1. Serve the news and information needs of the whole community. 2. Act as a watchdog against corporate and political corruption. 3. Hire more local reporters and editors. 4. Produce credible and fair journalism that reflects our community’s diversity. Free Press and our allies will deliver your letter to the Tribune Company’s local office and let you know how you can help push officials there to agree to these terms. The best way to stop the Kochs is to make some noise locally. Timothy Karr Free Press
The Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act The biggest banks in the country—the ones that wrecked our economy and cost millions of Americans their jobs—pay next to nothing on the debt they owe the government, while students pay nine times as much. That isn’t right. That’s why I’ve introduced the Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act to let students take advantage of the same low rates offered to banks for one year while Congress finds a fair, long-term solution on student loan interest rates. The interest rate on federal subsidized Stafford student loans is set to increase from 3.4% to 6.8% on July 1st. If Congress doesn’t act soon, millions of college students will see their student loan payments jump. Some argue that it’s too expensive to keep government loans at low interest rates, but the federal government makes low interest loans all the time—just not to everyone. Big banks can borrow money through the Federal Reserve discount window at a rate of about 0.75 percent. That’s why I started a petition on MoveOn’s petition site, which says: Wall Street banks—the ones that wrecked our economy— should not be getting a better interest rate on their government loans than young people trying to go to college. Unlike the big banks, students don’t have armies of lobbyists and lawyers. But they do have us. Let’s do what’s right and bank on students. Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator Massachusettes
A Small Project
Of all things great and small; each of us has an idea, a token of a thought on how to save the nation and the economy. For every automobile driven down the highways of this community, there exists one driver and if asked the question, “What is your take on the economy?” And for every driver there is an opinion and each is valid and waiting for the right moment. The solution I propose is both simple and solves much of what is common among us. Here is the solution; in common lay terms. One need is in front of us and is simple to design, and sell and apply. The need is a for a set of universal, small signs for those who are disabled. The small ( stickers if you will ) would indicate if there is a ‘deaf’ or ‘wheelchair bound’ or ‘blind’ or ‘oxygen in use’ person inside a dwelling and would be attached to door, mailbox, or point of entry; for fire fighters, police, rescue workers, emergency teams. The product is small, inexpensive and easily produced. The sales team would be any church, highs school fundraiser and would be instrumental in raising need funds for any project. The beauty of this idea is this, “The idea is now before you, John and Jane public, and is from one of the people driving down your highway.” The beauty of this idea is this, “Your idea is just as valuable and with the newspaper before you, an idea could save a life, change a life or make a difference in the economy of…how many? Sean Graham San Pedro
Fertile Ground
Spring elections are like planting season: we’re investing
More Letters/ to p. 19