The new ordinance regarding dispensaries will become effective 180 days after June 7, 2010. At that time permitted dispensaries (those not ordered to close now) must comply with the ordinance that includes requirements that they not be in close proximity (1,000 feet) to parks, schools, youth centers and residential locations. The permitted dispensaries may continue in operation at their present location until the new ordinance takes effect. At that time, in order to be compliant with the ordinance, it is expected many will relocate or cease to operate. Addresses for the permitted dispensaries located in zip codes 90041 and 90065, are as follows:

It should come as no surprise that there has been less than full compliance with the order to close. As with every city service these days, resources to monitor the situation and identify offenders are limited. According to the Council Office, one of the survival tactics being used by some of the un-permitted dispensaries is to not maintain regular or published business hours. Instead, they open and close at random days and hours, hoping to avoid being caught. This is where you come in. If you notice a dispensary that appears to be conducting business, and is not at one of the addresses listed above, please do your part by sending an email with the following information:

• Dispensary Name
• Dispensary Address
• Date and time you noticed business being conducted.

Send the email to the City Attorney atty.medicalmarijuana@lacity.org with cc's to the Council office ( zenay.loera@lacity.org) and TERA (president@TERA90041.org).

Baton Well Passed: I have lived in Eagle Rock long enough to remember when communication between me, as an individual, and the Council Office didn't reach my expectations. My expectations were modest. Return phone calls, treat me with courtesy and respect, don't give me a runaround, and help me when you can. Apparently, there were others in our community who had similar experiences and made their voice heard at the ballot box. It is this recollection of times past that makes me not take for granted a responsive Council Office.

Today's Council Office has been responsive. Much of the credit goes to Jim Omahen, who was my main contact at the Council Office for the last couple of years. Recently he left to pursue other opportunities. Since I was included on his "good bye" email, I was privy to the many responses of those who felt as I did, that he represented the Council Office very effectively. Jim was both responsive and proactive. I am confident that José valued Jim's support and felt his loss. Frankly, I worried things would change.

I am pleased to say that the baton has been well passed. Kudos to my new council office contact, Zenay Loera. I tend to be detail oriented and wanted to understand, at a lower level than many prefer, where we are in solving the marijuana dispensary problem. Zenay provided all that I asked for, allowing me to provide the update and call to action detailed earlier in this eLetter. Thanks to Zenay and the Council Office for maintaining this high level of communication.

Membership: Thanks to all who are members of TERA. Within the next week, renewal packets will be going out to all whose memberships are expiring in June. We could not exist and work for the Eagle Rock Community without your support.

If you are not a member, now is the time to think about joining. The number of emails I get from individuals who support what TERA does, but who are not TERA members is surprising. If you are in that category, please consider becoming a member now. In addition to supporting our work, you will get a reward by patronizing the many Eagle Rock merchants who support TERA by giving discounts to our members.