Need For Weed: Brea Residents Protest City Bans On Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
As California cracks down on medical marijuana dispensaries, advocates of the herb's health benefits protest. Brea's City Hall endured the wrath of about 30 medical marijuana supporters on Tuesday evening, objecting the city's mission to close down three local dispensaries, reports The OC Register. Protestors waved signs at traffic; one sign read "RESPECT STATE LAW."
The battle to shut down the dispensaries spans the last seven months and has reportedly cost the city about $350,000 in legal fees thus far.
"They are being frivolous by throwing money at this," said Al Gutierrez, 64. "The people at these dispensaries need it. It is a medicine."
Guiterrez is one of many patients who consumes cannabis for illness-related pain. Currently fighting prostate cancer, he is a retired computer programmer and Vietnam veteran. Guiterrez joined yesterday's protests.
Why shut down the clinics? Apparently, a city law bans medical marijuana dispensaries. Clinics argue that the city ban violates state law. In March a judge ordered the closure of all three dispensaries. The clinics declined to shut down, igniting further legal action.
"I am not happy about the $350,000, but if we had not pursued them aggressively, we might have 20 or more in the city and then we would have to fight them all," said Mayor Roy Moore in an interview today. "Then the bill would get even higher."
Brea resident Gail Anderson feels that the city is only damaging the local economy and forcing patients to travel longer distances for their medicine.
"I want to be able to get my medicine, and I want to feel safe when I get my medicine," she said. " This is my city, and I want to stay here and spend my money here."
