Ray Fostore, Chairman of San Bernardino Libertarian Party, Quoted in Article About Medical Marijuana

Published May 17, 2013 in The Sun

SAN BERNARDINO — Chanting “patients, not criminals,” “we toke and we vote” and “Mayor Morris, don’t ignore us,” 30 supporters of medical marijuana gathered outside of City Hall on Thursday morning to demand the city stop shutting down medical marijuana dispensaries.

And many more would come if they could, said San Bernardino resident Rory Murray, 53.

“I’m here for a lot of people that should be here, but they’re too sick or in too much pain,” Murray said. “These are people that can only be helped by cannabis. ”

State voters approved the use of medical marijuana, so the city had held off on aggressively enforcing its ban on dispensaries until the California Supreme Court ruled May 6 that city bans are allowed.

Since then, officials have aimed to quickly shut down all of the 33 dispensaries that were open at the time of the court’s decision, and on Thursday raided two more.

“They have every right to protest,” said City Attorney James F. Penman. “We wish them well, but in the meantime we’ll be enforcing the city’s ordinances. ”

Mayor Pat Morris did not return a phone call Thursday.

Many protesters said that the city’s ban was counterproductive, and would force people to buy in dangerous street situations.

“I guarantee you’ll see crime and murder go up, if people can’t get it somewhere safe,” said Jeremy Allen, president of Arrow Alternative

Read more here .

The article ends with this quote from Ray Fostore, Chairman of the San Bernardino County Libertarian Party (SBCLP)

Nor do any potential candidates seem to have the right mindset, said Ray S. Fostore, chair of the San Bernardino County Libertarian Party, who attended the protest in a neat suit and tie. But, he said, they should.

“It’s a humanitarian issue,” Fostore said. “Why would you want to push the sickly, elderly and infirm into the hands of criminals? ”

Another attempt will be made to change officials’ minds by showing up to Monday’s City Council meeting, Murray said.

Here is a photo from the protest:

http://photos.sbsun.com/

About Post Author

Jill Pyeatt

Jill Pyeatt is a small-business owner and jewelry designer from Southern California. She currently serves on the Judicial Committee of the Libertarian Party of CA. She can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

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