Patch Blog: Hundreds Rally for Medical Marijuana Downtown

Around 300 people Assembled at City Hall on March 1 to a rally to demonstrate against a city ban in Los Angeles on medical marijuana dispensaries.

The event was organized by Guerilla Union (the management company for the rap group Cypress Hill) and Americans for Safe Access (A.S.A.) The speakers included B Real, Tommy Chong, MC Supernatural (who had a great freestyle rap), Fashawn and Don Duncan of A.S.A.

"We need our elected officials to know that we expect them to regulate medical marijuana, no matter what the Feds say," said Duncan on the steps of City Hall.

At 4:20 p.m., the group marched down to the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building to protest the recent federal crackdown on California dispensaries--most recently being the D.E.A. letters to landlords threatening asset forfeiture of their properties as well as I.R.S. audits of dispensaries  that could result in back taxes. (It is currently illegal for dispensaries to write off basic expenses, rent, and payroll against revenue according to Internal Revenue Code section 280E.)

It was a great afternoon, everything was peaceful with the demonstrations.  A few people were hassled for smoking a joint. (It is unknown whether they were medicating under the Compassionate Use Act or not.) The demonstrators were in great spirits, and everyone cleaned up after themselves.

The city council has had this ordinance since it left committee a few weeks ago. It is being speculated the vote hasn't happened because the council may not have enough votes to pass it. And with several dispensaries filing lawsuits against the city, it is unclear when this issue will be resolved.