When the City Council reviews a “gentle ban” on medical marijuana proposed by Council Member José Huizar—a discussion by the full Council was scheduled Friday but has been postponed—five new marijuana dispensaries in Eagle Rock will likely figure in the debate.
According to President Michael Larsen, who, along with President Bob Gotham, was scheduled to make a presentation before the City Council in support of Huizar’s proposal, the latest medical marijuana facilities to set up shop in Eagle Rock are:
• Together For Change (click here to read our story about this Colorado Boulevard facility’s recent opening).
• So Cal Herbal Care, 4344 Eagle Rock Blvd.
• ER Wellness Group, 4682 York Blvd.
• Elixir of Life Collective, 4515 York Blvd.
• Colorado Quality Pain Relief Inc., 4740 Eagle Rock Blvd.
The opening of these facilities raises to 15 the total number of medical marijuana dispensaries in Eagle Rock, according to Larsen, who says he noticed them while driving around and then double-checked them either by going in or calling.
“The City does not track openings and closings” of medical marijuana dispensaries, explains Larsen, adding: “They rely on community members to do that.”
Larsen spotted something interesting about Colorado Quality Pain Relief Inc. “They have all these very ‘official’ permits prominently displayed as you walk in—a business tax registration certificate, tobacco sales certificate, sales tax certificate—as if these somehow point to their legitimacy.” Adds Larsen: “The only problem is that there is no permit for MMDs and all of their documents are for a different address.”
Another curious thing about some of the new marijuana dispensaries, including Colorado Quality Pain Relief Inc., is that their storefronts have no name. Some of them have signs that are bland and uninviting (see photos). Others feature fairly artistic signs. Featuring motifs borrowed from the Hindu faith, the sign for Colorado Quality Pain Relief, for example, gives the impression that it might be a yoga studio.
Marijuana Database at Cal State Northridge
The Los Angeles Times recently featured a fascinating article in which Steven Graves, a geography professor at Cal State Northridge, teamed up with his students to create a database of medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles.
Built painstakingly over the past several years, the database documents the buildings, signs and parking lots of marijuana facilities, dividing them into four distinct groups—“ones that project the image of mainstream medical providers; ones that project a holistic ‘granola’ vibe; ones that look like bunkers and appear to want to go unnoticed; and ones that make a clear appeal to ‘stoners,’ casting themselves as dispensing recreation rather than medicine,” according to Graves, who authored the Times article.
None of the medical marijuana facilities in Eagle Rock per se are featured in the Times article, although Organic Healing Center, a dispensary in Glassell Park, did make it into the article.
Organic Healing Center falls into Graves’ “granola” category—and we think Colorado Quality Pain Relief Inc., among a few other dispensaries in Eagle Rock, belongs squarely in the same group.
Click here to view photos from the database, featured in the Times story.
I watched the video but found the write up explaining the video misleading. At what point does ML stick the camera in an employees face? I didn't see that. At what point is a woman in danger? I didn't see that. Yes, at 00:57 a woman and child do pass by the group filming, but they aren't in danger. Just a person walking by some people on the sidewalk like we all do. She wasn't pushed, forced into oncoming traffic or in any danger. The website description just is wrong. In fact, then at 2:20 an employee in black exits the MMD who then confronts the camera guy and holds his camera lens. It looks like he is trying to stop filming. He has no right to stop filming. They are in a public place. That's the law. The only people who can stop that are the Police and they can't even stop legitimate news crew filming even if a Police operation if underway. At 02:30 ML starts 'filming' this confrontation, and then about 02:40 a security guy starts flaming ML, and looks like he is taking pictures of each person there. the rest of the video is a collection of people visiting the MMD easily and even a kid on a bicycle passing by quickly on the pavement.
You want to get the average Eagle Rocker on your side? Stop this petty behavior. I believe you and Michael Larsen have bigger problems to solve together rather than waste time with videos like these.
Tim's video, together with the KCET program gives you a great sense of the character of "dispensaries" like The House of Kush and it's management. I encourage EVERYONE to view both of these videos.
Ummm... Where is the evidence of harrassment? You essentially sensationalized a video of a camera crew doing nothing illegal. The reaction of the dispensery folks is what is questionable. You should consider rewriting your summary ASAP.
Certain parts of the ordinance were struck down by trial judges, others were upheld. This is why we need to wipe the slate clean and wait for the CA Supreme Court to make the rules clear going forward. We had a very significant move from the Supreme Court yesterday. It seems that they agree with the City that the sale of marijuana, as in at the pot stores, is illegal, and not covered by the CA medical marijuana laws.
din's answer... "I do. I recently bought a $300 piece of local art on Eagle Rock Blvd (can scan receipt if needed) after visiting a dispensary (yes perfectly sober). I honestly cannot tell you especially with gas prices how much I try to make me drives efficient and since my collectives are in Eagle Rock I do my shopping in the area to lessen multiple drives. Needless to say I have spent thousands of non-medication money on the local community it's simply I looked like every other Joe so people like yourself never see it."
Ummm I refuse respond to prohibition crusaders who cowardly choose to remain anonymous in this discussion. How do I know for sure that you a 'mom' or even a female? Are you really an EagleRocker? Seriously, just use you real name and stop being such a wimp, God!
As for the video Tim, you have to realize that someone who calls you on your statement isn't necessarily a 'prohibition' supporter. You should read my previous post to see where I stand in this debate and you might just find I am one of those regular Eagle Rockers. I watched that video, and did not find fault with the news crew at all. I support their right to free speech. I also support your right to free speech as well. If they had caused a breach, I would be the first to support you. I'm sure that seems fair yes? Now, a camera man making two steps forward is not an assault. But an employee grabbing a camera lens seems like one. All in all, the video seems to be old news. What's more important that communities have a say in how they see MMDs in the future. I don't believe its an easy solution since both sides are polarized right now.
Your attempts to silence any opposition are not working. Any time someone questions the validity of anything you post, you get so hostile. If you are truly an Eagle Rocker you would know that you are discussing the issue of MMDs with your neighbors and you should be more respectful. Honestly, no one from the pro-pot group has stepped up to defend the Kush footage because you're out of gas. There is no evidence of any kind of wrong doing. A camera man taking a step or two forward to get a better shot is a sign of aggression? Surely you are kidding or that pot use is making you a little paranoid.
And to the person who claims to have almost been run over by some "stoned punk", all I can say is...really? Did you track that person down to verify that they were in fact stoned or even a teenager? If they were driving fast and carelessly enough to almost run you down, chances are you didn't get a good enough look (or a whiff of whatever they may or may not have been smoking). Please. Save the exaggeration for something more pressing. There are FAR more important issues to be dealt with in ER than one's personal beliefs being compromised by another's right to medicinal treatment.
You make some interesting points but you close by saying, "There are FAR more important issues to be dealt with in ER than one's personal beliefs being compromised by another's right to medicinal treatment." No one is slamming legitimate patients who use medical marijuana in order to manage their health issues. If anything, people here generally support patients having access to safe product. I agree that stoners will find a way to get weed and get high, regardless of the presence of MMDs. However, I have noticed an increase in the amount of public smoking on residential streets over the past few years. Coincidence? I don't think so. There are people on this thread who admit they are not patients in need of medicinal marijuana and they frequent ER dispenseries. That is a problem for those of us who don't want to live in a community that is overrun by drugs of any kind. To have dispenseries freely selling marijuana with zero regulation is wrong and dangerous.
when these thugs start making your life miserable in one way or another you will see our point. i know a scumbag kid when i see one. i also know when some ones high when i se it.....and thats all you will see all day at a cannabis club. if some one in your family could be a victim of some stoned idiots negligence im sure you would find this matter more PRESSING. now i wsh i would have got hit. a police report would have been files and a marijuana influenced driver ina motor vehicle accident in eagle rock would have been documented and that would have got the ball rolling with law enforcement. i know you dont care about any one elses experiences with these people but you probly dont know your ass from a hole in the ground in the first place
*Stop being so uptight. Productive members of society can use drugs and function, believe it or not.