[420 Girl]

LAKE FOREST – Medical pot proponents will rally tonight, asking the Lake Forest City Council to consider the benefits medical marijuana dispensaries have brought to cities like Oakland.

More than 1,000 people are expected at the City Council meeting. Organizers of the rally also plan to assist nearby Laguna Woods seniors with transportation to and from the meeting. Rudy's of Portola Hills will serve 1,000 free burgers to attendees.

"We had a good turnout last time," said Clayton Taylor, with OC Weedly, who organized last month's rally. "I considered it a success."

The rally, beginning at 6 p.m., is not considered a "hell no, we won't go" response, said Taylor.

"We want to be part of the solution," he said. "I think the City Council underestimates the kind of resources available to us, the kind of people backing us and what we can offer the community."

Taylor cites Oakland as an example – a city that has condoned and now maximizes the presence of medical marijuana dispensaries.

"The medical marijuana collectives are turning the city around," he said. "The collectives pay more taxes voluntarily. That's the model we're going for. They're paying for projects that city would have never had money for."

Taylor hopes tonight's rally will start a dialogue with the city to stop legal action closing down the already established dispensaries.

On Sept. 1, the Lake Forest City Council announced that it had filed civil complaints against 35 people associated with 14 medical marijuana dispensaries in the city and called on immediate prosecution and abatement of the storefronts.

The complaints are the first step in the city's ultimate goal of permanently shutting down these shops. The city's municipal code prohibits uses not explicitly allowed in commercial areas and prohibits businesses that violate state and federal law.

Since the rally on Sept. 15 where about 200 attended the City Council meeting, organizers have been working to get the word out. Petitions asking residents to help stop the city's legal efforts were circulated this weekend. Billboard trucks reminding residents to attend Tuesday's meeting will canvass the community today. Ads have been placed on OCRegister.com.

"We're asking folks who voted for Proposition 215 and Senate Bill 420 to come out and support their votes," said Taylor. "We want to show the council we can bring people together."

The group – made up of representatives for patients with cancer, AIDS, chronic pain and nerve issues – also includes advocacy groups like Medical Marijuana, Inc.; OC NORML, the local chapter of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws; and Americans For Safe Access.

The City Council meets at 7 p.m. at 25550 Commercentre Drive.

The rally and free burgers start at 6 p.m. All planning to speak during public comments must fill out a speaker card before the start of the meeting.


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