Wow, Huizar really knows how to suck the revenue and progress out of an area. First "almost" destroying the NELA art walk and now closing down Medical Marijuana Clinics. Way to go, making more work for community leaders leaving them to rebuild the revenue and neighborhood events that he is tearing apart. Please use your power for the good of the people Mr. Huizar not to suck the money and life out of the community. Ironic that he sites, quality of life. What about the quality of the life of the patients that need to get their medicine. These clinics are very low key only allowing certified patients to enter they do not allow loitering or attract crime. Further more most of clinics that have been closed in Eagle Rock have been replaced with message parlors that promise happy endings so who's quality of life are we talking about. Will empty store fronts or message parlors add to the quality of family life in Eagle Rock. I personally don't visit the clinics but strongly disagree that they in any way are disrupting progress or the moral fiber of the neighborhood. The only one disrupting the progress of the neighborhood here seems to be Mr. Huizar leaving in his wake a big mess for the community to try and rebuild the quality of life that we have fought so hard to achieve.

the kamala Harris letter says no such thing you liars. She is supportive of the California marijuana community and law in place. Of course she does not want exploitation, however to date no one has been able to bring hard facts and stats to this effect which its what she its asking for.

Why do you twist Kamala Harris words?

@A Smith:

For some reason, I'm having difficulty uploading the Harris letter on my site, but you can read it here. http://eaglerock.patch.com/articles/huizar-makes-headway-on-medical-marijuana-ban#pdf-8920566

Readers are free to judge for themselves if they believe Harris is critical of state marijuana laws. Also, keep in mind, one can be critical of a law that regulates a substance and yet still be supportive of the rights of the community who relies on it.

Not mentioned in this discussion is the fact that Federal law does not permit the sale of marijuana as currently practiced in Los Angeles.

Not to worry the federal law was mentioned in the article and is never forgotten in discussions regarding the subject. I don't always mention it because I feel many states have done the right thing in decriminalizing it and feel that it should be legalized by the federal government as well. I am proud to live in a state that is progressive on this subject and will speak out against anyone trying to take that away from us.

Is The Hummingbird on York also a collective? I wasn't sure

They are indeed, but they are currently listed as closed on YELP. The art gallery still functions.

I regularly go to the NELA artwalk. Last week past 3 mj clinics. Unfortunately one had
left door open and I and my adolescent son witnessed people plastered on the floor with the heavy odor of MJ. WTH!!!!!!!!!!! Where's my quality of life????

The problem is that too many of these "collectives" are clearly just selling pot to anyone and NOT serving sick people. Current TV just did a show demonstrating how easy it is to get "certified". Park across the street from one and observe the clientele. Stand in XOXO's shoes. What they experienced is probably alienating others and hindering potential sales for local stores. Since a "collective" re-opened downstairs from us we've seen 1 man in a wheelchair, the rest are mostly healthy young men. Kelly come live with us for a week. Several times a day we deal with the stink of the pot smoke that fills our space. We've asked them countless times to install a filtration system that they keep "yes-ing" us about. We try to air our space out, paying to re-heat the whole thing, and often can't open the windows because the air's filled with pot and cigarette smoke which is absolutely infuriating. Do you think getting infuriated every day provides a good quality of life? I can't WAIT for them to get shut down.

We've worked hard to bring in business and beautify/promote HP. Should I have to move and forfeit my business' established location so pot dealers can hang out and get kids stoned? This IS a PROBLEM for the community. Huizar has my full support in passing legislation that will close fake dispensaries. I think they should keep the honest ones intact and regulate them and the doctors giving out certifications. Close the illegal massage parlors while you're at it.

xoxo// I am really sorry to hear that, I have never seen that at any of the clinics. If it was indeed a life changing/quality of life event for you and your son. I suppose it's a great time to educate your son on the laws, clinics and drugs, your views on the subject, etc. Assuming he is not already. My 14 year old daughter is aware of the issues and how I feel about them. She has in turn formed her own opinion not completely agreeing with mine. As a parent I believe that it's important to educate our children to the issues of the world and am not affected when these things do happen. I certainly wouldn't judge my quality of life on an incident like this. I respect others choices and teach my child to do the same. If this profoundly affected you though I would suggest asking them to close the door. Pretty simple really and not always necessary to over exaggerate these things by stating it's affected your quality of life. If that's the case then critical thinking is in order. I agree that the situation as you describe it is not acceptable behavior however why judge the actions of 1 for all.

I shudder to think your reaction to the art walk if one gallery decided to show adult/borderline unlawful work. At best it would be the gallery under scrutiny not the whole art walk.

Linda I understand your problem and agree that a filtration system should be installed. I would love to come and visit your business, what is the name of it?

I fundamentally feel that marijuana should be legalized so that may be where we differ in our views. I do however feel that they have the responsibility to be respectful to their neighbors and community. I strongly believe that shutting down all of the 'fake' dispensaries is not the solution.

The think that Huizars proposal of 'certified caregiver' only growing for patients will only become corrupt and that their will be ways to get around it. This "solution" to me is at best naive. I feel this motion is a waste of our tax dollars, time and energy. Taking away from what would really help people like you, clinics and patients. How about using this energy and money to enforce tougher restrictions on the clinics perhaps 'requiring filtration systems' and ENFORCING it. The revenue of the clinics alone would pay for the extra people needed to enforce the guidelines needed to create a cohesive live/work environment for you and the clinic.

I can totally feel and understand your frustration however I strongly disagree with the proposed solution and feel it is no solution for all. Of course you and those like minded to you will benefit from this motion but I'm looking at a bigger picture.

Linda, can you please e-mail me at david.fonseca@patch.com? I'd like to learn more about your situation.

Rob I don't have a massage parlor and have never claimed to, and I didn't say that all collectives should be banned. You might want to read my post again.

Wow. No it's not massage - or a parlor - or illegal - or sexual in any way. I'm not sure why your tone is so hateful or you feel you need to pick a fight with me, insert a website that I've never affiliated myself with and insist on incorrect and sarcastic assumptions.... Can you please relax and stay on topic?

Absolutely no need for personal attacks, Rob.

Well...uh... I was the one that launched the attacks on the message parlors.

@Kelly Thompson...What do you mean by "if" and exaggerated? In addition, whom are you to question my quality of life or tell me how to parent??? Let me make my parental decisions and you make yours. I have nothing against people that need to use mj for "real" health purposes, not a bunch of young, hot, heathy looking 20 year olds (maybe even older teens) laying on the floor of a mj clinic promoting/advertising drug usage to my teenager. And let's be real anybody can get a doctor's note to enter these establishments...... as their clients walk out they effect my quality of life in there appearance, driving, and the image they present. They do not have the right to intoxicated in public or pollute the community with there odor....

xoxo Yes of course you have the right to raise your child and feel anyway you wish. "I" still feel that your reaction is over dramatic and exaggerated.
"I" feel it is important to teach our children to be tolerant and nonjudgmental. To engage in critical thinking before accusing a whole group on the actions of a few. "I" would have taken this situation as an opportunity to engage in a dialogue with my child about the issues and how it makes her feel. "I" feel it's important that my child goes out into the world with her eyes wide open, educated and able to make good choices based on as much information and as many view points as possible. Of course that's just me. If you choose to parent and react differently that is of course your prerogative.

Like I said before I don't condone the actions of the clinic you describe and think that behavior should be stopped. However I will always believe that the correct coarse of action is to correct that isolated behavior not to fly off with statements like their "ruining my quality of life" and condemning the whole program as a result of a few bumble heads. cont......