(Update 8-4-10) In 1996 California voted for Proposition 215 which decriminalized the cultivation and possession of marijuana for a very narrowly defined group of people, those suffering from serious illness such as cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, and arthritis for which a physician believed marijuana might bring relief.
Even though Prop 215 (The Compassionate Use Act) and a follow up bill by the state senate (SB420) were passed many years ago, the City of Los Angeles failed to inact any local ordinances to regulate the new industry of medical marijuana and its distribution through facilities called medical marijuana dispensaries or storefront pot shops. In the absense of regulation and some poor handling of a moratorium, these facilities proliferated to over 600 dispensaries (some say as many as 1000) in the City of Los Angeles. At last count the Eagle Rock area was home to 21 such shops.
For the last two years, the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council has been lobbying our city departments and elected officials to act swiftly and responsibly to uphold California law and protect the citizen’s of Eagle Rock from the negative effects of an unregulated drug trade masquerading as medical treatment. We have been fighting to include provisions which will help us protect our community all of the associated problems as well as ensure that those who truly are in need of medical marijuana have safe and dignified access to it.
With leadership from Councilmember Jose Huizar and the hard work of his staff, the City Council finally passed an ordinance on Tuesday, Januuary 26th which went into effect on Monday, June 7, 2010.
Since June 7, many dipsensaries not on the city's approved list have either remained open or have reopened in defiance of the new ordinance. There have been over 30 lawsuits brought against the city to try to overturn the ordinance. A number of people have inquired about the new Medical Marijuana Collective Ordinance, the status of specific locations, and enforcement information. We hope that this community forum and the infomation below will be helpful.
There are a few dispensaries in the area that are allowed to operate in their current locations until December 7, 2010. After that date, they will be required to comply with the new ordinance which will most likely result in them moving out of the Eagle Rock area. Here is the list obtained through the LA Times of the collectives allowed to remain operating until December 7th.
Cornerstone collective 4623 Eagle Rock Blvd
Eagle Rock Herbal Collective 4729 Eagle Rock Blvd
Hazelwood Patients Collective 4619 1/2 York Blvd
Medical Caregivers Association 4344 Eagle Rock Blvd #E
Southern California Collective 1121 Colorado Blvd
If you believe that a dispensary is still operating in violation of the new ordinance, you can send a complaint to the L.A. City Attorney via this email address
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. Any criminal activity should be reported to LAPD via 911 if it is an emergency or (877) ASK-LAPD (275-5273) if it is a non-emergency. Criminal activity regarding the improper sale or distribution of marijuana should be referred to the narcotics hotline of the LAPD at (800) 662-BUST (2878)
