City to Close all Medical Marijuana Dispensaries; Opposition Mounts

On March 28th at 2pm the San Diego City Council will be voting on an ordinance that, if approved as currently written, would close every medical cannabis facility in the city and make it virtually impossible for them to reopen, threatening the quality of life for some of the most vulnerable members of our community and denying safe access for thousands of patients in the City of San Diego.

Led by San Diego Americans for Safe Access and Canvass for a Cause, over twenty local, state, and national organizations have come together in opposition to this ordinance as currently written.

The “Stop the Ban” coalition campaign has been educating the public on the upcoming ordinance and encouraging them to write hand written letters to the city council urging them to amend the proposed ordinance and to approve an ordinance that guarantees safe access and reflects the needs of the community.

With the help and support of coalition partners the ‘Stop the Ban’ campaign has collected over 2,100 letters to the city council making it the largest letter writing campaign in San Diego history, has been profiled in CityBeat and covered by Fox 5 and CW 6,and has received endorsements from some of the largest clergy, drug policy reform, and student groups in the state - making it the largest public mobilization on behalf of medical cannabis in San Diego's history. 

With less than two weeks left before the vote, the campaign has brought on extra volunteers who will supplement the ongoing effort in every district within the city. 

“If this ordinance passes as currently written, crime will increase and the economy will suffer”. Ben Cisneros a Senior Organizer with the campaign stated. “By shutting down all access in the city, the veterans, families of patients, and the sick and dying would be terribly impacted”. 

The campaign will be holding a Press Conference followed by a Candlelight Vigil on March 25th at 6:30pm at the Veterans Memorial Garden located at 2115 Park Blvd San Diego CA 92101

The following Monday on March 28th there will be a rally of hundreds of patients and concerned citizens voicing their concern against this ordinance. The rally will start at the Federal Courthouse located at 940 Front St. San Diego CA, 92101 at 12noon and will end at the San Diego City Hall at 202 C St. at 1:30pm where everyone will go up to the City Council Meeting to speak against the proposed ordinance at 2pm. 

Further Information:

Campaign Website:
www.stopthebansd.org and www.facebook.com/stopthebansd

San Diego CityBeat Coverage: 
http://www.sdcitybeat.com/sandiego/article-8825-wait-a-minute-mr-postman.html

OB Rag Coverage:
http://obrag.org/?p=34216