[cjking]

SITUATION

• There are apparently over 400 dispensaries in Los Angeles, CA as of September 2008.

QUESTION

• How do you get 201 of these dispensaries to:

1. Close shop or send someone to represent them
2. Meet at the same place ... at the same time ... for a rally ... to help THEM ... survive as a business?

How do you do it?


*And I know there are the following on WeedTRACKER:

• Business and Economics Majors, Masters, and PhD's
• Mensans
• Sociologists
• Motivational Speakers
• Sharp Business People
• Wise Consumers
• Fortune 500 Pros
• Global 500 Pros
• Most importantly ... Brilliant experienced trackers from the "school of hard knocks" and those still attending ... So don't be shy and please share. IMPORTANT NOTE: Just because you share does not mean you have to attend anything or do anything. This is a forum just like back in the Greek days where everyone just threw up ideas at the Agora! Beautiful, isn't it?

Peace, love, and respect,
cjking


P.s.
How about throwing LadyKnight - a.k.a. "MotherWeed" - some respect rep for all that she does for our WeedTRACKER community!!!

Everyone loves you MotherWeed!!!


(P.s.)x2
If author intent has anything to do with anything, this "thread" has absolutely nothing to do with any rally or dispensary or co-op or collective or "anyone" in particular. It's just a question by a regular guy that doesn't have an answer to this perplexing question.

[gopers]

CJ,
I would go on the 6th, but I'm in Philidelphia on that day.

[Davyl]

Good post CJKing...I guess our chat session last night has motivated you! Excellent. I believe it can be done. By either volunteers going into co-ops, or even a letter sent out. It is really important for the co-ops to be involved. After all we are standing up for their right to exist and dispense our medication.

[Justonevoice]

Your right on target CJK. It really is about every collective closing its doors and attending the rally. If just 200 of the collectives and sent three reps and patients to the rally we would have over 600 poeple there.All standing up for the same thing. WOW how powerfull that is!

[jrn166107]

All it takes is just going into your local collective and getting people behind you. I know it is possible and it only takes time. just stop in after work or your day off. What you have to lose other than your meds. Its your right as an American to speak your minde.

[Deejaycruise]

201 people at a mmj rally in LA hasn't happened in long time! 201 dispensaries? What are you smoking?

[cinse85]

giveaway 201 million dollars

or 21 i guess

[Davyl]

Originally Posted by Deejaycruise

201 people at a mmj rally in LA hasn't happened in long time! 201 dispensaries? What are you smoking?

Full of optimism is see!

[early mornin stoned pimp]

Originally Posted by cjking

• There are apparently over 400 dispensaries in Los Angeles, CA as of September 2008.

• How do you get 201 of these dispensaries to:

1. Close shop
2. Meet at the same place

How do you do it?

Write letters to their property owners, explaining that their property and assets will be seized if they do not comply.
Raid the ones properties whose tenants remain on the premises; make sure you bring lots of guns- you know stoners, they pack heat.

feelin a lil sarcastic at the moment.

-emsp.

[WhoisTVD?]

Good post cj I actually posted something that was intended for both you and zebra that I posted in this thread http://www.weedtracker.com/forums/sh...-co-76808.html, in it I attempt to devle more indepth to the current situation.

[Big K R]

Aren't the Dispensaries hurting themselves by not closing? Showing they don't want to miss out on that all mighty dollar!! Is that a not for profit co op? lol

[Western Caregivers]

Originally Posted by Big K R

Aren't the Dispensaries hurting themselves by not closing? Showing they don't want to miss out on that all mighty dollar!! Is that a not for profit co op? lol

Well it certainly can be percieved that way.

[Fatal3]

Peer pressure, a 'do not cross' picket line if you will. Urge your local dispensary to close and support, and if they don't support a dispensary that is helping the MMJ community. Like anything worth fighting for, convenience and comfort must be sacrificed if we are to gain anything as a whole.

The more I learn and do, the less I want to help 'business' people. I won't get meds from people who aren't actively involved or don't support ASA. Now I am just one person but that is all I can control. I feel that the business must be shaped by the people not the people shaped by the business.

[weedtracker]

why are you threatening the co-ops that you want you have help you? thats not how you get support for your cause. it wouldnt surprise me at all if at this rate none of the co-ops show up at all the way your treating them.

let me give you some advice:

1) you cant demand support, nobody likes being told what to do.

2) you have to give some to get some. you need to make it worth the other parties time and money to help you, and threatening them with boycotts is not going to win them over.

3) asking the co-ops to close is a bad idea. i know you want some kind of symbol of solidarity, etc. etc. but taking away peoples safe access is not the way to achieve this.

now let me tell you how you can get the co-ops to come out and support you:

1) ask them nicely. a little kindness goes a long way sometimes.

2) ask them simply if they could send 1 person with a sign that says "XXXXXXX collective supports YYYYYYYYY cause." that would go a long way to achieving the "solidarity" look your going for. the whole collective doesnt need to show up, 1 person from 200 places is 200 people. thats a large crowd already plus add in regular patients are you up to 3 or 400 people easy.

3) ask the co-ops to offer some kind of discount to people who go to the protest. for example if you bring in a protest sign on that afternoon after the protest is over you get a free something or a discount. everybody knows that free stuf motivates people.

dont be so hostile and dont be so demanding and youll get what you want a lot easier. nobody likes angry protestors.

[The Urban Spaceman]

Originally Posted by weedtracker

why are you threatening the co-ops that you want you have help you? thats not how you get support for your cause. it wouldnt surprise me at all if at this rate none of the co-ops show up at all the way your treating them.

let me give you some advice:

1) you cant demand support, nobody likes being told what to do.

2) you have to give some to get some. you need to make it worth the other parties time and money to help you, and threatening them with boycotts is not going to win them over.

3) asking the co-ops to close is a bad idea. i know you want some kind of symbol of solidarity, etc. etc. but taking away peoples safe access is not the way to achieve this.

now let me tell you how you can get the co-ops to come out and support you:

1) ask them nicely. a little kindness goes a long way sometimes.

2) ask them simply if they could send 1 person with a sign that says "XXXXXXX collective supports YYYYYYYYY cause." that would go a long way to achieving the "solidarity" look your going for. the whole collective doesnt need to show up, 1 person from 200 places is 200 people. thats a large crowd already plus add in regular patients are you up to 3 or 400 people easy.

3) ask the co-ops to offer some kind of discount to people who go to the protest. for example if you bring in a protest sign on that afternoon after the protest is over you get a free something or a discount. everybody knows that free stuf motivates people.

dont be so hostile and dont be so demanding and youll get what you want a lot easier. nobody likes angry protestors.

and the "Voice of Reason and Common Sense" award goes out to Mr Weedtracker. thank you for posting that - it is the first thing i have heard in a long time that hasn't made me just want to stay home on the day of the Protest. I actually feel like going again... thanks!
peace and much love
Spacey

[Justonevoice]

While I agree with mr. Weedtracker on most of his post I do differ a little bit. This protest is not just about patients,its not about providers supporting patients it is about patients supporting providers. It is about a provider that is being railroaded by the Feds and we all know that. If this is "The Protest" that every provider should get behind because it could be you there next!!!!!!!!! C'Mon think about it!

[The Urban Spaceman]

Originally Posted by Justonevoice

While I agree with mr. Weedtracker on most of his post I do differ a little bit. This protest is not just about patients,its not about providers supporting patients it is about patients supporting providers. It is about a provider that is being railroaded by the Feds and we all know that. If this is "The Protest" that every provider should get behind because it could be you there next!!!!!!!!! C'Mon think about it!

i agree - everyone, patient AND provider need to get behind the protest. i just think it is getting a little heavy handed and the "demands" seem to be unreasonable. why should people close? sending representatives should be good enough. but that's just my 3 cents.
i don't even wanna discuss it any more really... people are more concerned about the text color in the chat room than actually doing or discussing anything anyway.

[Justonevoice]

Originally Posted by The Urban Spaceman

i agree - everyone, patient AND provider need to get behind the protest. i just think it is getting a little heavy handed and the "demands" seem to be unreasonable. why should people close? sending representatives should be good enough. but that's just my 3 cents.
i don't even wanna discuss it any more really... people are more concerned about the text color in the chat room than actually doing or discussing anything anyway.

I believe that if all collectives closed during that time and went to the protest we would see more people taking part, more patients getting involved because they see their collective doing so,I believe that when our collective closes that day that patients that come during that time and see the nore on the door that maybe just maybe they might understand the importance of rallies and protests by our example.

I used to work for Winston Tire Co and went to a Managers awards Banquet once and Sam Winston came to the microphone and told everyone to "Stand Up",everyone did so but not knowing why and we kinda thought he was going crazy or something. He the instructed everyone to "turn around and face their chair",which we did apprehensively. Then he told us to lift up our chairs and to look under them. Taped to the bottom of two chairs where fresh $1000 bills. Sam then proclaimed that "If people would just get off their asses and look around they just might find what they are looking for".

Point is instead of just sitting there and hoping that something happens to change the governments stance against us take part in the solution and do something about it.

Do not get me wrong everyone certainly has the right to do as they please this is just my opinion.

[The Urban Spaceman]

Originally Posted by Justonevoice

I believe that if all collectives closed during that time and went to the protest we would see more people taking part, more patients getting involved because they see their collective doing so,I believe that when our collective closes that day that patients that come during that time and see the nore on the door that maybe just maybe they might understand the importance of rallies and protests by our example.

I used to work for Winston Tire Co and went to a Managers awards Banquet once and Sam Winston came to the microphone and told everyone to "Stand Up",everyone did so but not knowing why and we kinda thought he was going crazy or something. He the instructed everyone to "turn around and face their chair",which we did apprehensively. Then he told us to lift up our chairs and to look under them. Taped to the bottom of two chairs where fresh $1000 bills. Sam then proclaimed that "If people would just get off their asses and look around they just might find what they are looking for".

Point is instead of just sitting there and hoping that something happens to change the governments stance against us take part in the solution and do something about it.

Do not get me wrong everyone certainly has the right to do as they please this is just my opinion.

so i personally agree with you 100%! i just think that SOME of the tactics being used are less than productive.

honestly - if i see one more thread about Charles Lynch i think i am gonna vomit! the boards have been FLOODED by it. we need a Charles Lynch forum so it can all go in one place.

i have as much sympathy for Charlie as is humanly possible and i wanna do anything in my power to help him - and everyone else who may find themselves in his position.

but i am tired of having it shoved down my throat and being made to feel like a no good dirty shit for not posting and posting and posting in each and every one of the too damn many threads about the situation.

i am gonna go now... i have kept my mouth shut all along and i just wanna go back to being quietly concerned and not talking much. i am much better at being silly.

i will see you all at the protest. i am there as myself AND as a representative for the place i work. what ever they decide to do that day i stand behind.

[zebrasmoke]

Originally Posted by weedtracker

why are you threatening the co-ops that you want you have help you? thats not how you get support for your cause. it wouldnt surprise me at all if at this rate none of the co-ops show up at all the way your treating them.

let me give you some advice:

1) you cant demand support, nobody likes being told what to do.

2) you have to give some to get some. you need to make it worth the other parties time and money to help you, and threatening them with boycotts is not going to win them over.

3) asking the co-ops to close is a bad idea. i know you want some kind of symbol of solidarity, etc. etc. but taking away peoples safe access is not the way to achieve this.

now let me tell you how you can get the co-ops to come out and support you:

1) ask them nicely. a little kindness goes a long way sometimes.

2) ask them simply if they could send 1 person with a sign that says "XXXXXXX collective supports YYYYYYYYY cause." that would go a long way to achieving the "solidarity" look your going for. the whole collective doesnt need to show up, 1 person from 200 places is 200 people. thats a large crowd already plus add in regular patients are you up to 3 or 400 people easy.

3) ask the co-ops to offer some kind of discount to people who go to the protest. for example if you bring in a protest sign on that afternoon after the protest is over you get a free something or a discount. everybody knows that free stuf motivates people.

dont be so hostile and dont be so demanding and youll get what you want a lot easier. nobody likes angry protestors.

wow. thank you oh great WEEDTRACKER. you are so omnipotent. why had'nt we thought of those things a month ago?

oh yeah, WE DID! let me suggest something you didnt mention to help. probably get more support from these clubs.
how bout we promise all these clubs increased revenue based on exposure to a large group of patients, thereby increasing their revenue in sales, oops i mean donations, at their respective clubs. that will get em on board. worked for you, right? i finally figured it ou. you gotta talk money to these not-for-profit entities. thats where we have been falling short i imagine. not ONE OF US patient activists has offered MONEY for the use of their image, name, or support. if we all donated free money, i bet you more would show up.

[zebrasmoke]

so... taking the lead from another respected WT member, i suggest we choose not to support any club that WILL NOT support the rally/protest/march/whatever. further, i suggest we donot donate for meds to any clubs during the hours of the protest, wether you make it to the rally or not. BB, personally, i think this is a great idea, and i appreciate your solidarity with OUR GOAL( keeping safe access in california.) i have nothing to gain from this rally, but my continued health and well-being. there is no money in this for me, or any of the other volunteers working their asses off to help all patients in cali, and the rest of this country. but i do have a hell of alot to lose, just like the rest of you.

[ladyknight]

This makes me very sad. In the beginning, energy flowed through this. I was excited. I was going to be out of town on that date and I told my hubby that I wanted to go to this. The last couple of weeks have changed. All I see is a war going on all over boards. Bet the Feds love that.

So many people are doing things for this protest that you do not know about. It is not your way or the highway. All this negativity has to stop. People will join when they see that positive energy flowing again.

1. No more attacks on anyone.

2. No threats of any kind is allowed.

You cannot threatened people to do your passion. They have to catch it. Everyone has a part to play but that doesn't mean that it has to look like your part.

As far as co-op's closing...I don't agree. We are MMJ patients. Medical is the key. When nurses go on strike, the hospitals/doctors don't shut down. If co-op's want to send someone to represent them, then respect their decision.

This is how I feel. Feelings are not right or wrong, they just are. Respect my feelings and do not attack me for them.

I will post more later.

[FARMER]

Originally Posted by ladyknight

This makes me very sad. In the beginning, energy flowed through this. I was excited. I was going to be out of town on that date and I told my hubby that I wanted to go to this. The last couple of weeks have changed. All I see is a war going on all over boards. Bet the Feds love that.

So many people are doing things for this protest that you do not know about. It is not your way or the highway. All this negativity has to stop. People will join when they see that positive energy flowing again.

1. No more attacks on anyone.

2. No threats of any kind is allowed.

You cannot threatened people to do your passion. They have to catch it. Everyone has a part to play but that doesn't mean that it has to look like your part.

As far as co-op's closing...I don't agree. We are MMJ patients. Medical is the key. When nurses go on strike, the hospitals/doctors don't shut down. If co-op's want to send someone to represent them, then respect their decision.

This is how I feel. Feelings are not right or wrong, they just are. Respect my feelings and do not attack me for them.

I will post more later.

I agree. And I, too, am sad. I find it hard to believe that we cannot have this protest without ripping each other apart on these boards. I find activist/friends becoming more and more frustrated as they search for a way to get people to this protest.

Personally I think it's extremely sad any of us need to be cajoled and coaxed to this protest as it's a big one. One which needs for our numbers to be there in force. This seems to be the biggest problem on everyone's mind. How to fill the sidewalks? How to get enough patients and patients advocates there to have a physical presence and get the attention and respect we need as a movement.

On Oct. 6th, I will be there, next to Zeb, Spacey, Herb, Davyl, EvilStevo and Weddy and everyone else too many to mention here. You know who you are. I suggest you bring this back down a bit and make it your personal mission, through your day to day contact, to reach out to shop owners ourselves on a personal level.

And remember, No one EVER asked the clubs to close the entire day of Oct.6. Never has been about the entire day, for those concerned with cutting off daily access to meds. Has ALWAYS been only to 3pm. Since most places don't open till 11:00am, the proposed "Green Out" for the SoCal Clubs was only a four hour request. That's all. IT WAS NEVER THE ENTIRE DAY. Unfortunately it has been presented that way and I believe that might be why some dispensary owners may be shying away.

Just my $.02.

BTW- Any you HATERS give LadyKnight a hard time, I'll find ya!
Farmer

[kindmeds]

As a shop owner to patients... you really do need to let us know what's up.

I remember a couple years ago when dispensary owners and workers comprised most of the crowd at protests.

All that I'm saying is that we have trouble even getting on long enough to check pm's and follow up on posts.

The way that I heard about this protest in the first place was at Heidie's memorial. I kid you not. And about three people that I now consider friends all promised to bring me posters and flyers to hand out to patients!!! Finally yesterday I got two computer print outs. We took the initiative to shrink them down with our copier and make flyers to hand out.

We're trying to do our part, and will be heavily represented at the protest both in staff and in patients. Every single patient that walks in our door hears about the protest from us and we're going to do this until the day of.

Now, I am positive that many more of our fellow co-op workers and operators will be more than enthusiastic in their support if they hear about this from you guys, the patients. For those responsible with organizing this event call every dispensary you can and ask them if you can put up posters and give them flyers to hand out.

If you're not organizing this event just talk to the patients and the budtenders when you go in to get your meds about whether or not they're going to be at the rally.

Honestly people... no one is going to go if they don't know about it. I've had about 20 conversations with people who found out about us on WT and none of them knew either.