LA County Passes MMJ Ordinance

* May 12, 2006


** LA County Passes Progressive Medical Marijuana Ordinance **
** ASA and LA ASA Chapter Help Ensure Passage **

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The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to pass
the state's most progressive ordinance to regulate medical
cannabis dispensaries this week.

ASA's staff in the Office of State and Legal Affairs and
ASA's Los Angeles Office, as well as activists in the LA
Chapter, played a crucial role in the development and
successful passage of the ordinance by helping to craft
language and by mobilizing patient support during hearings.

"We are thrilled that the Board of Supervisors voted to
respect the needs of patients in LA County by passing one
of the most progressive ordinances in the state," said
Amanda Brazel, Los Angeles County Field Coordinator for
ASA. "This sends a clear message to patients who are
fighting for safe and legal access in other counties: Good
ordinances are possible if you educate local legislators."
If your county does not have an ordinance, contact ASA and
strategize on how to pass the model ordinance.

*/LA ASA was successful in part because readers like you
help to support our California Campaign for Safe Access.
Part of every contribution you make to ASA goes directly to
ASA chapters and affiliates by way of grants and organizing
resources. /*


LA County Medical Marijuana Ordinance Details:
* No cap exists on the number of dispensaries allowed
in LA County, underscoring the need for patient
demand to be the marker of capacity
* The dispensary permitting process will be run by the
planning department instead of law enforcement
* The provision by dispensaries of cannabis plant
cuttings for home cultivation will allow patients to
save money and become self-sufficient
* On-site consumption of marijuana will allow patients
to consume their medicine and socialize in a way that
is prohibited in most other settings


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our operating budget is and how far we stretch it," said
Steph Sherer, ASA Executive Director. "What we need right
now are donors who are willing to become monthly sustainers
- $10, $20, $50, or $100 a month helps tremendously because
we can count on that money every month."


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LA County also voted to implement the State ID Card
Program, placing the County in compliance with SB 420.

Americans for Safe Access is the nation's largest
organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists
and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to
cannabis for therapeutic uses and research.

ASA's Strategy for Success:
* ASA lobbied and educated the planning commission to
implement the model proposal and to include the
provision for on-site consumption
* Hundreds of activists and patients signed petitions,
packed hearing rooms, attended meetings, and called
the Board of Supervisors
* ASA used earned positive media stories throughout the
state. Here is a list of news stories about the LA
Ordinance
<http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3424>


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