Here is a round up of the news for the medical marijuana industry in LA/Orange County this week. 1)Medical marijuana dispensaries in Long Beach, CA are not going anywhere yet.   At a recent meeting with the city counsel they decided to delay making any decisions until the State Supreme Court decides whether or not [...]

Here are the most common questions patient ask when they talk to me about using medical marijuana: 1. I am very concerned about my job finding out about this. Do I go on a list anywhere? Answer: Your office visit is 100% private and confidential. The only people that will know about your visit are [...]

On April 12, 2011 the city of Costa Mesa held a study session regarding the regulation of medical marijuana dispensaries in their city. A professional presentation was put together and the city council members (and mayor) received compelling argument with supporting documentation on why they should tax and regulate the dispensaries. (you can actually watch the presentation on their website by clicking on video archives)

Unfortunately the city has yet to even look at or discuss the documents that were provided and are instead looking to SHUT DOWN the dispensaries currently providing sick patients with necessary medicine. READ ON…

Newport Beach city council has decided to take action against three medical marijuana dispensaries. The West Coast Cure, Nature’s Alternative Solutions and The Healing Tree are all going to receive “nuisance abatement.” What this probably means is that they will be fined out off business.

Many other cities have done this in the past and continue to do so. In Santa Ana, dispensaries regularly get fined $500.00 every time the city wishes. Dispensaries have just added this as a cost of doing business and continue to operate. However in cities like Long Beach, fines can approach $2500.00 per day which can get tagged as liens on the property owner if not paid. Next month the city is probably going to close 20 more dispensaries after they do site inspections looking for code violations.

Last week I spoke to the city of Costa Mesa’s city council which included the mayor, city attorney and all 5 counsel members. The purpose was a study session on creating an ordinance to allow and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. It was 30 minutes and there were 6 industry professionals who outlined a logical solution to what cities consider a negative blight on the community.

More and more I read about how states, local and federal governments are pushing back at medical marijuana laws in an attempt to curtail them. There is good reason and I think the medical marijuana community is partly to blame.

At the end of of our presentation one of the counsel members, a middle aged caucasian women (who happens to be a high school teacher) made this comment: “At the high school I teach I hear students talking about how easy it is to get a medical marijuana card and it seems like they all have one. What are you doing to curtail all the use among teenagers?” THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION AND A MAJOR PROBLEM RIGHT NOW. AND I THINK THIS IS THE REASON WE ARE SEEING THE PUCH BACK FROM LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS. READ ON….

Before making an appointment to see a physician for a medical marijuana card you should first do 10 minutes of research to make sure your doctor does not have any disciplinary actions pending. In addition you will want to call the clinic and make sure you are going to PHYSICALLY SEE A DOCTOR IN PERSON, not over the computer.

Here is how you research a doctor medical record: READ ON…