This is an update to an ongoing story.
By Sam Sabzehzar
Mieko and Joey with their attorney Jeremy (center) and HOPE Wellness Collective Attorney Joshua Shelton
After a very heartfelt letter by Joey’s doctor, Dr. Hedrick (UCI), and an outpouring of community support by parents of other special needs children who also receive medical marijuana from HOPE Wellness Collective, the city attorney for the city of Westminster has withdrawn their order against HOPE to shut down.
The collective, located in a medical office building immediately off the 405, played host to a press conference alerting the public to their plight, and that of other families affected by the city’s decisions as the city of Westminster works on exploring options on creating a sensible zoning ordinance that incorporates what the will of the people voted on nearly 15 years ago.
Instead, the collective can remain open and continue helping their patients receive their medicine, and in Joey’s case, this it life-saving.
Mieko Hester Perez was at her office at the Unconventional Foundation for Autism when she heard the news and simply replied “Of course, it was the right thing to do.”
HOPE Wellness Collective volunteers were elated upon hearing the news.
“There are a lot more patients following this case because right now there are a lot more patients that don’t have legal access in the city of Westminster, and a lot of cities around the Orange County, so for them the see this case as a sign of hope for safer access for more patients.” — HOPE volunteer
Joey’s attorney was quoted leaving the courthouse as saying “this is a victory for the patients of Westminster, and a step in the right direction in recognizing truly safe and legal access.”
Truer words have never been spoken.
