Hundreds of Dispensaries Will Close in Los Angeles, California

As if the economic crises isn’t bad enough, the Los Angeles City Council decided to damage it some more. In LA, there are approximately 186 registered medical marijuana dispensaries. But the City Council decided to put their foot down (after four and a half years of debate) and limit the number to 70.

As of now, the city is allowing any registered dispensary from before 2007 to remain open, while closing the ones which opened in the past three years. As the number drops, no new dispensaries will be opened until the limit of 70 has been reached. A curfew has been placed on the dispensaries, forcing them to close at 8PM everyday.

The most shocking number is that since 2007, approximately 800 to 1,000 dispensaries have been opened. All of these will be closed. That means an estimate of 2,000 (at least) employees will lose their jobs (that number is only at two employees per dispensary, which is highly underrated).

With these restrictions in mind (and the idea that each facility has to grow their own supply), how in the world will medical marijuana registered users be able to legally obtain their medication? At least by having dispensaries open, the marijuana is taxed, so that the state receives funding from this legal operation. Having businesses open, running, gives the state and government money – so why must they close so many businesses? This will only hurt the economy (job loss, tax loss, business loss) and the people of the United States.

Logically, the placement of the dispensaries has been limited. They are no longer allowed within 1,000 feet of a “sensitive” area, such as a school, library, park, religious institution, youth center, rehab centers, child care facility, and other dispensaries. This is sensible.

For the ordinance to come into effect, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa must approve it first.

The First Annual Western Slope Cannabis Crown in Colorado

Attention, medical marijuana growers and smokers!

If you didn’t know already, in April there will be Colorado’s First Annual Western Slope Cannabis Crown. It will be held in Aspen from April 17-18 at the Gant. The event was organized by Glenwood Springs resident Bobby Scurlock and the owners of High Country Caregivers, and include many events. 1,500 tickets were planned to be sold, most of which are already gone. The tickets for the two-day event costs $25.

This even is not about potheads, but to enlighten the public about the benefits of medical marijuana (as a patient, plus the economic benefits for the country), as well as for vendors to showcase their strains of marijuana

The conference is open to the public, but only Colorado registered medical marijuana patients are allowed to purchase marijuana from the vendors, and these transactions must take place outside of the convention hall.

Merchandise will be sold, such as vaporizers, grow room kits, and more. There will be charity events for the Haiti crisis.

There will also be information booths, live bands, and public speakers to inform the audience why medical marijuana is in fact a safe and effective drug for medical patients, and how the economy is benefited by medical marijuana (and how it would help if marijuana was legalized entirely).

But the best part of the convention has to be the Cannabis Crown.

Like the Cannabis Cup held yearly in Europe, the competition will determine which grower has the most potent strain of marijuana. By most potent, we mean high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC – that thing that makes marijuana effective) and how they affect the needs of the patient (how well they cure back pain, asthma, etc.).

The competition is going to be judged by Full Spectrum Laboratories, and there will also be spots for “People’s Choice Awards” that will be voted by the medical marijuana patients. The people’s choice awards will narrow down the competition, but the actual crown will be given based off a diagnostic test of the plant.

It is estimated that at least 400 different strains of marijuana will be at the event, as well as several edibles (brownies, candies, etc) on site. 40 strains have currently been entered into the Cannabis Crown competition.

The turn out is expected to be huge, so don’t miss out on this medical marijuana event!

For further information on booking and tickets, you can e-mail to cannabiscrown@yahoo.com or call High Country Caregivers at (970) 945-2492