[420 Girl]

You might think the job of law enforcement is enforcing the law, but that’s not the way some California officers and organizations see it when it comes to the state’s medical cannabis statute. The latest disturbing evidence of this is an upcoming “training luncheon” on “The Eradication of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County,” hosted by the California Narcotic Officers Association (CNOA).

What’s shocking is not that the CNOA would resist state law – the organization is one of the oldest and most virulent opponents of medical cannabis in the state – but who will be joining them in the effort. Headlining the training on how to close down medical cannabis collectives are Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley and Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, and police officers from Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Alhambra.

Despite the proven success of cities and counties that have established sound regulations, despite the legislature’s effort to ensure uniform implementation around that state, and despite the state Attorney General’s guidelines, eradicating safe access remains a high priority for some very powerful people in law enforcement in Los Angeles County.

Documents obtained by Americans for Safe Access (ASA) indicate this is at least the second time the CNOA has hosted a training like this for law enforcement. Why is the CNOA and some local law enforcement so worried about medical cannabis right now?

Maybe it is because the Obama Administration has signaled a willingness to change federal medical cannabis policy, and local police will no longer be able to go to their federal counterparts to end-run state law. It may also be because California courts have handed patients a series of victories, ruling that federal law does not preempt state law, police must return medicine, and patients’ collectives are legal.

Perhaps the most important reason why the CNOA and local law enforcement are rallying to close collectives is that the slow march towards regulating their operation is nearing an endgame in the state’s largest city, Los Angeles. Newly-elected City Attorney Trutanich has taken the lead in obstructing progress there, joining his predecessor in consistently opposing any regulations that create community oversight and facilitate access for patients.

Trutanich and other opponents of safe access are right to worry that city regulations will legitimize collectives and improve community relations. This is exactly what has happened in dozens of cities and counties that have already adopted ordinances regulating medical cannabis. State-wide research by ASA found that communities with sensible regulations have reduced crime and complaints around collectives.

These training luncheons are evidence of a cynical campaign by CNOA and law enforcement to interfere in the implementation of state law. They are still fighting the battle they lost when California voters approved Proposition 215 thirteen years ago. Changing the law can be easier than changing some people’s attitude. Medical cannabis patients and supporters should call on law enforcement to end this culture of resistance and work in good faith with elected officials to adopt guidelines that protect legal patients and their communities.

ASA is inviting medical cannabis supporters to join us in a peaceful demonstration in front of the Quiet Canyon Restaurant on Thursday, October 8, to tell the CNOA and Los Angeles law enforcement that we want implementation, not eradication. Join us in front of the restaurant located at 910 Via San Clemente in Montebello (60 Freeway and N. Garfield Ave.) at 10:30 AM. Join the LA-ASA email list for updated information.

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