Patch Blog: Battle Lines Drawn at Huizar's State of the Town Address

On Wednesday, February 1, Eagle Rock's Center for the Arts, with , will host L.A. City 's State of the Town Address. Normally done at the end of the year, this address will be held early in 2012, falling in line with the President's State of the Union. Since 2006, Mr. Huizar has held the Address in order to "allow us to better understand quality of life issues in our communities."

According to a Patch article on Tuesday, Mr. Huizar will be addressing some issues important to Eagle Rockers. At the event, the Council member is expected to discuss a local bike lane initiative, recent work done on York Boulevard, and Eagle Rock's very own Take Back the Boulevard initiative.

Nevertheless, it seems the issue that is creating the biggest buzz for the evening will be a discussion of the Council member's recent campaign for a citywide ban on medical marijuana dispensaries.

A highly contentious initiative, the ban would essentially force all medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles to close their doors permanently. Advocates of medical marijuana argue that the ban will severely inhibit access to most medical marijuana patients, especially those who have terminal and debilitating diseases.

However, the proposed initiative states that patients will still be able to grow their own medical marijuana or have a certified caregiver grow it for them without any legal repercussions (from the city).

Still, organizations such as the Cannabis Clubs United with the Community, led by Eagle Rock native Tim Ryder, emphasize that a citywide ban would leave current patients with no other choice but to find other methods, such as the unregulated black market.

According to a flyer distributed by CCUWC, the ban would "only benefit the Black Market drug cartels in Mexico." As a result, the organization encourages attendees at Huizar’s State of the Town to come dressed all in black to symbolize what it calls the "Black Market Strategy."

On Monday, the CCUWC called Huizar’s office, requesting a response to its flyer. As of the time of this writing, there had been no response to the voicemail left.

Mr. Huizar's ban campaign seems to be one born of a forced hand. Medical marijuana dispensaries are obviously not a new topic for the Council member. In 2009, Huizar posted on his blog that he had introduced legislation to strike the marijuana hardship exemption clause from the City’s interim medical marijuana ordinance. Since then, the City has been met with one litigation after another in order to keep dispensaries open. Unable to regulate a federally banned substance, Huizar has had to move toward an outright citywide ban.

Eagle Rock has a large selection of marijuana dispensaries. In turn, Eagle Rock also has a large collection of medical marijuana patients. Finding a balance between medical marijuana proponents and those who ideologically oppose the presence of such clubs has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride for all of Eagle Rock. 

Sadly, an absolute resolution may only serve to create a fervor on the “losing” side. If “all or nothing” is the name of the game, there can only be one take-all side. It may contribute to an unnecessary split among citizens in Eagle Rock and other localities. Clearly, a dialogue is key to finding a middle ground where all can be satisfied, even if it means sacrificing a bit of ideology on either side.

At Huizar's State of the Town Address, there will be an opportunity to state one's opinion, regardless of what it is. As a serving representative of the People, it is Mr. Huizar's duty to listen to all. 

However, it cannot all rest on the shoulders of one man. Whether one shows up in black attire or another shows up with support for an all-out ban, it is ultimately the duty of the People to show up in the first place. That way, any public servant can, and must, heed the People's wishes and vote accordingly.

Wednesday night will undoubtedly be a contentious and volatile evening. But it will be key to the outcome of a momentous law that is on its way to being signed off by those who are stated to represent you, the citizens of Eagle Rock.

Jose Huizar's State of the Town Address will be held at the , on Wednesday, February 1, at 7 p.m. View the . View the CCUWC .