Well, this story was just too interesting to pass up on. City officials in Los Angeles are asking a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge to issue a temporary restraining order against the organizers of a two-day convention supporting marijuana.
The convention is set to last two days and begin on Saturday, February 16, taking place at a sound and film production studio in South Glendale. City council members held an emergency closed session in order to stop organizers from hosting the Medical Cannabis Cup, hosted by High Times magazine. However, the council members are contending that the use of the space does not comply with municipal code.
According to City Atty. Michael Garcia, “We are hoping to get voluntary compliance.” City officials are also concerned that the event and its organizers plan to use the Glendale Studios for live performances, which include rappers The Game and Redman.
According to Garcia, the studio is zoned for broadcast and recording, not for concerts. In addition to that, the event doesn’t comply with the city’s ban on medical marijuana dispensaries, which are prohibited in all zoning districts. According to Garcia, “Obviously, our ordinance defines dispensaries broadly.”
Steve Makhanian, who runs the studio, already stated that he planned on canceling the event regardless of any court injunction due to the fact that the city was “not happy” that the organizers had not pulled the proper permits. “As a studio owner, we can not jeopardize having this event here,” he said.
Local dispensaries, clothing companies, hydroponic businesses and marijuana paraphernalia retailers were all expected to showcase products at the event, according to High Times Associate Publisher Rick Cusick. Actor Tommy Chong was also scheduled to make an appearance and receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. Cusick added that the event is “unusual all over the place.”
