LGBT and Medical Cannabis Activists Submit Signatures for “Safe Access Ordinance” in Imperial Beach

Advocates pose for celebratory picture after submitting petition

Fifteen percent of registered voters in Imperial Beach have signed the petition to overturn the city’s current ban on safe access to medical cannabis and replace it with reasonable regulations.

The Safe Access Ordinance of Imperial Beach, a collaborative effort between Canvass for a Cause, a San Diego based LGBT non-profit, San Diego Americans for Safe Access, and concerned citizens, launched the first ever initiative to regulate safe access to medical cannabis in Imperial Beach. If passed, the measure would repeal the city’s current ban and replace it with strict zoning regulations and operational requirements for medical cannabis dispensing collectives and cooperatives.

Friday, June 08, at 11:00 a.m. representatives from the Safe Access IB campaign submitted 224 signature packets containing 1,555 valid signatures from Imperial Beach registered voters to the City Clerk, enough to qualify the initiative for a special election.

“Our goal is to qualify enough signatures to put this ordinance on the November 2012 ballot, to ensure this happens, we are submitting enough signatures to qualify for a Special Election—this means, if officials from Imperial Beach drag their feet qualifying the initiative, they will have to spend thousands of dollars for a Special Election sometime next year,” explained Rachel Scoma, attorney and Treasurer of Safe Access of IB. “Through our own internal verification process we know these are all registered, Imperial Beach residents. We don’t want to, but we are ready to take legal action in defending the signatures.

Since the start of the campaign, activists have gathered over 2,600 signatures from individuals living in Imperial Beach, 600 more than originally planned and have spent less then five thousand dollars on the signature gathering effort.

Signature Gathering Crew in Imperial Beach

“The support in Imperial Beach was overwhelming. Residents from both sides of the isle are concerned about patients having safe access to their medication. This initiative will give an opportunity for voters in Imperial Beach to decide whether they want regulations that bring safe access for patients as well as create a safe community or allow city council to continue to criminalize the most vulnerable members of our community through an unconstitutional ban ,” said Eugene Davidovich, Chair of Americans for Safe Access.

For more information visit the Safe Access IB campaign website: www.safeaccessib.org or email safeaccessib@gmail.com