Illegal Marijuana Dispensaries on the Rise in South Robertson

November 24, 2011 - - There are approximately 13 marijuana dispensaries in the South Robertson neighborhood council boundaries. Residents are not exactly sure how many are "legal", meaning: in compliance with the LA City Ordinance that went into effect this year.  

Three dispensaries in particular (24th St. & Robertson Blvd.), do not have city permits to operate, are located within a few hundred of feet from each other, and are in complete violation of the City Ordinance (being too close to a place of worship and too close to a school).  These three dispensaries (two of which 'popped up' within recent weeks of each other) are part of a much larger problem, and that is, illegal dispensaries starting to proliferate in the City of Los Angeles again, in huge numbers.

A simple question: Does SORO need 13 (or more) marijuana dispensaries in order to appropriately serve the needs of the chronically ill?  We don't have that many pharmacies in our area, nor do we need that many in order for sick individuals to get their medicine.

A neighborhood deserves the right to have legal businesses operate safely and not have an over-concentration of one type of business, particularly illegal businesses where they have armed guards in front of their facility, have no permits, have no accountability to the City or to the community. They call themselves collectives (which are supposed to be nonprofit and operate in a certain way), but they actually operate as retail, for profit stores which is illegal under L.A.'s City ordinance and Federal Law).   

In a City of Los Angeles document (Ordinance 18153), it states that there is
"a serious threat to the public welfare caused by the  bourgeoning number of medical  marijuana collectives in our community. The City has a duty to address the problem of
drug dealers and recreational users who are attempting to hijack California's medical  marijuana legislation for their own  benefit."
(reference http://cityclerk.lacity.org/cps/pdf/ord_181530_01282011tempurgord.pdf)

Now for "the news" - There are two recent and conflicting California court decisions where one ruled Riverside has the right to ban dispensaries and the other court ruled Long Beach cannot regulate dispensaries because they are selling marijuana and that is against Federal law.



Because of this, LA City Councilman Jose Huizar (14th district) has proposed a complete BAN on marijuana clinics until this is settled by the California Supreme Court.

If we as a City cannot regulate dispensaries, what alternatives do we have? Should we look the other way and allow illegal drug dealers open hundreds of retail marijuana shops near schools and places of worship? Should they be allowed to illegally profit, mock our laws and operate whenever and wherever they please without a city permit?

Here are two TV news videos from Nov. 23, 2011 which explains the problem, and presents the introduction of Councilman Huizar's motion to temporarily ban dispensaries:  KNBC - 4 and  KABC - 7.

Doug Fitzsimmons, president of the SORONC spoke at City Hall and was also interviewed on Robertson Boulevard at 24th Street.

Here is a good article published on The Huffington Post where Councilman Huizar explains the issue in detail. The South Robertson community is shared by Council Districts #5 Paul Koretz and #10 Herb Wesson. It is unknown how they will vote on the temporary ban.

IS THERE A YELLOW  STREET  LIGHTING MAINTENANCE VEHICLE  ON THE  STREET? How to identify legitimate vehicles: The vehicle has a city seal, the words "Street Lighting" on the driver and passenger doors  and the word "Exempt" on its license plate.

IS THERE STREET LIGHTING STAFF WORKING ON A STREETLIGHT?
How to identify legitimate staff: They can be identified by their orange vest, hard hat and city identification.

The Bureau of Street Lighting has contractors who install new lighting. The names of these companies would be identified on their vehicles.

THANK YOU for your patience and cooperation. AGAIN, CALL 9-1-1 IF YOU OBSERVE A WIRE THEFT IN PROGRESS OR SEE ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY AROUND CITY STREETLIGHTS!
Download this City of L.A. flyer and distribute to your neighbors.

Sept. 1, 2011 - -   On both sides of Robertson Blvd. multiple streets have been recently targeted by copper wire thieves, which causes malfunction of street lights, leaving the streets dark for many days until the wires are replaced by the City of Los Angeles.

This illegal and dangerous activity is taking place all over Los Angeles, the state of California, as well as the nation!

If you witness copper wire theft TRY TO TAKE PHOTOS, VIDEO AND ESPECIALLY GET A LICENSE PLATE NUMBER.... BUT DO NOT CONFRONT THESE THIEVES FOR YOUR SAFETY!!!!

What's Old . . .

THE WONDERFUL DAY THE L.A. MARATHON went right through SoRo in 2002 on Robertson Blvd. Click for photos of 2002 L.A. Marathon More Marathon highlights 2004 L.A. Marathon. Click for photos of 2004 L.A. Marathon.

Interesting L.A. Sites . . .

Los Angeles Government Sources
http://library.csun.edu/mfinley/lagov.html

Los Angeles History
www.lasangelitas.org/links.htm

Zocalo Public Square
Local lectures, expanding the world of ideas
www.zocalopublicsquare.org

Experience LA
www.experiencela.com

Discover the Arts in Los Angeles
http://discoverlosangeles.com/thearts