California
Medical Marijuana Industry News May 4, 2012
Minority House Leader Nancy Pelosi Challenges Federal Government Over Marijuana Raids… As the federal raids continue against marijuana dispensaries, President Obama has had to deal with comments from all over the world. Perhaps he was surprised to hear that his newest critic is one of his closest political allies, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). …continue reading
State Legislators show Support for Marijuana Legalization in Colorado
In a matter of a few years marijuana has made tremendous strides in shedding its taboo status and gaining mainstream acceptability. Polls are regularly showing an increase in positive views on medical marijuana and marijuana legalization. Is our elected representation shifting their attitudes as well?
How many high profile state democrats would have backed marijuana legalization in the 1970s, 1990s, or even 2005? The efforts of Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol have played a large roll in changing the political atmosphere in Colorado. RMLA helped to collect more than the 86,000 signatures needed collected to get amendment 64 on the ballot. If passed the bill will legalize marijuana and set up a system, as the name suggests, to regulate marijuana like alcohol. The chair of the Denver Democratic Party, Cindy Lowery-Gra ber, has recently stated her support for bill and said “this is a mainstream issue. Polls show that more than 60 percent of Democrats and a solid majority of independents believe marijuana should be treated like alcohol. A broad coalition is forming in support of Amendment 64 and I am proud to say that it now includes the Colorado Democratic Party.”
The endorsement comes from the right person at the right time. Democrats have a strong presence in Colorado and the state’s residents may be poised to be the first (several other states like Washington will also vote on legalization in November) state with totally legalized marijuana on a state level. Colorado has taken precautions to avoid the legal mess in California as they have put a more structured program run by the state. This singular authority eliminates the problem of individual municipalities interpreting medical marijuana law as they see fit. It seems many elected officials agree with Cindy Lower-Graber as 8 of the 10 largest counties in Colorado support amendment 64.
The fight for marijuana reform is no longer being fought solely by hardcore activists. Although the feds seem intent on fighting its own people over a healing plant, many other government officials have now joined the movement. As stated above, supporting marijuana publicly was a difficult political platform previously, but in a few years it may be a difficult position not to support it.
Richard Lee Forced to Walk Away from Oaksterdam yet remains Positive
Marijuana.net hopes you all had a nice holiday weekend. With so much preparation for the holiday it can be difficult to keep up with new developments in the medical marijuana industry. While we wish the only updates were related to Easter egg hunts and Passover Seders, patients learned that their struggles do not take a rest, even during the holidays.
The Oaksterdam raid by federal authorities has generated considerable attention in the media nationwide. Richard Lee, who ran the university as well as a medical marijuana dispensary has decided to give up his business operations. The news is troubling for many patients and advocates who have found inspiration through his tireless efforts. Richard Lee is well known for his dedication to patients and spent over 1.5 million dollars in an attempt to pass proposition 19, a measure aimed at legalizing marijuana in California. After the raids of his home and businesses, Mr. Lee is left with few options and has been forced to shut his doors to patients. He may face many years in jail, and federal law even calls for the death sentence in cases where an individual possess over 60,000 plants. Richard Lee admitted he did not know how many plants were seized during the raid though it still seems unlikely he would face execution.
Fortunately, Mr. Lee is utilizing an upbeat approach to his situation, despite facing what may be a lengthy jail sentence, or worse. He sees his situation as a possible motivation point for activists. Richard Lee recently stated “I think the nationwide coverage of the raid shows that there is a story here that a lot of people would like to see and like to hear about.” He also went on to say “We are getting very close to a tipping point on this issue,” and referenced the fact that Oaksterdam has trained approximately 15,000 individuals, many of which are willing to continue the march toward marijuana reform. The national coverage of the story may help Lee, as polls show that a vast majority of Americans support a physician’s right to prescribe marijuana to patients. A harsh sentence for Mr. Lee may result in a harsh public backlash.
We wish the best for Richard Lee as his efforts have provided compassionate relief for so many patients. While his legal downfall could help the future of medical marijuana, we do not want to lose focus on the individual. Hopefully, the federal government will find some sensibility and provide leniency on someone hoping to promote education, safety, and compassion.
Los Angeles Medical Marijuana Workers join Labor Union
Everyone in the American work force would appreciate more employment perks. However, most of us do not have to fear being arrested by federal authorities at work. Medical marijuana dispensary employees have to confront this fear regularly, and now workers in Los Angeles seeking better representation and protection have now joined the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 770.
UFCW 770 represents a wide variety of retail workers including barbers, beauticians, pharmacy workers, meat packing and food processing employees, and laboratory workers. Ricardo Icaza, president of Local 770, was eager to welcome the dispensary workers. He summed up his excitement by saying, “This is the next step in professionalizing and stabilizing this new sector of the health care industry. “This is a positive step towards successfully integrating compassionate care into our system of health care.”
The move is in response to the proposed ban on medical marijuana dispensaries by the Los Angeles City Council. Mr. Icaza indicated that he directed the union’s political influence toward pressuring officials to avoid the ban. The president of the Greater Los Angeles Collective Alliance (GLACA), Yamileth Bolanos, welcomed the help and said “It’s time to bring in some big guns,” she told the Los Angeles Times “Not only are they threatening access for patients, they’re also trying to take jobs away from our employees.”
Workers in this vulnerable industry are seeking more protection and assurances that they can serve patients. The Los Angeles employees are not the only medical marijuana workers to join a union. In October of last year, Colorado dispensary workers also joined the UFCW. While the moves may not yield results overnight, workers may benefit from greater representation. This ultimately may not eliminate federal raids but could possibly bring more attention to vulnerable jobs that our economy cannot ill afford to lose.
Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Expected to Open in Washington D.C. by Summer
With the iconic Berkeley Patient’s Group being forced to close its doors, the Federal government has demonstrated its desire to uphold not only its failed war on drugs, but also the war on patients. Interestingly enough, inside the belly of the beast, medical marijuana centers will be opening up within months.
Washington D.C. is expected to start serving medical marijuana patients by this summer. The process has already begun as cultivators are filling out the paperwork for leasing growing space. Sixty nine percent of D.C. voters approved a measure to legalize medical marijuana way back in 1998, but Congress stood in the way several times. In 2010, the City Council in D.C. approved another measure and this time Congress decided to respect the decision of both the council and residents of Washington. Residents who qualify will be purchasing marijuana within miles of the white house and congress, even as patients thousands of miles away fear raids and shutdowns.
The medical marijuana program in Washington D.C., like many other new states enacting programs, will have a much stricter set of guidelines than California’s system. This may be why the federal government, for the moment, seems to be far less concerned. California does not have a state run program, and municipalities have different interpretations of what rights are afforded under proposition 215. However this is all speculation and with little information available as to how the federal government selects its raid targets, advocates are left without an answer. Even if laws become stricter in California, many patients and advocates are hoping for a unified system so that everyone can operate legally.
Until the federal government decides to take the guessing game out of the legal realm, medical marijuana will remain in limbo. Although Washington D.C. will be allowed to serve patients now, no one can be certain of what the new faces in congress will decide after this November. No one wants a prolonged battle with the federal government, and a government should not be seeking to battle sick patients. The debate seems to be getting sillier each day and if our government cannot decide what they even want in their own backyard (City of Washington D.C), then can we really expect to look to them for leadership elsewhere?
Marijuana Advocates Lobby California Officials while Patients Suffer Defeat in Maryland
Although laws should be based on facts and common sense, it would be incredibly naïve to assume this was the case. Patients and advocates have found out the hard way that simply having a superior argument is not enough to change the legislative culture.
Marijuana advocates have become increasingly sophisticated in the methods they employ to push for legal change. A high powered group consisting of growers, dispensaries, and union members are shifting course from running a ballot initiative to getting their message on the airwaves with television and radio advertisements. The group will now also use the millions it has collected to lobby California lawmakers to fix the legislative mess that marijuana law finds itself in. Democratic assembly member Tom Ammiano is already on board and has proposed a new system for marijuana regulation in California. Ammiano’s plan would create a state run system that could avoid the pitfalls of the current system where individual municipalities interpret state law differently. The state would oversee dispensary permits, cultivation, and distribution of cannabis. The system would offer a flexible tax system where local governments could institute a tax of up to 2% on transactions. One of the most interesting provisions was designed with patients in mind as Ammiano’s plan would require one dispensary for every 50,000 people, ensuring patient’s “safe access”.
Maryland activists may also have to consider lobbyists as Governor Martin O’Malley has vetoed a recent bill that would have allowed medical marijuana. Patients were hopeful they would be receiving their medicine soon as there seemed to be considerable momentum for a medical bill. State legislators passed this recent measure and last year a law was passed in Maryland that eliminates penalties for those possessing marijuana if they have a debilitating illness. All hope is not lost in Maryland, but Governor O’Malley stated that the federal climate would have to change in order for him to pass a medical marijuana bill. Citing a fear of state employees being arrested the governor said, “I will say that, would the federal landscape look different, then I would support a bill like this.”
California stands to have an eventful legal year as it tries to overhaul its medical marijuana program. Advocates have taken their movement to the next level and politicians may have no choice but to listen. While the defeat in Maryland is unfortunate, patients can at least have hope as their legislators are not staunchly against providing relief.
Medical Marijuana Industry News March 2, 2012
California Courts Rule against using Nuisance Ordinance to Shut Down Collectives
As the legal debate continues in California over medical marijuana, there were several new twists in the situation this week. The Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled that municipalities cannot use nuisance ordinance to shut down marijuana dispensaries. This would seem to be a victory for advocates as municipalities have shut down medical marijuana collectives through use of the nuisance ordinance before. The court also included in its decision that dispensaries can only dispense marijuana from where it is grown and cannot be imported from any outside source. The state supreme court is expected to review California’s medical marijuana laws later this year. Another court case that was decided this week involved a lawsuit against the Obama administration. The suit claimed that the White House was disingenuous and claimed they would not conduct any raids on dispensaries. The case was thrown out.
Marijuana Advocates From all parts of the Community Gather in Michigan
Residents of Michigan have been very active in pursuing marijuana reform. Last year, Kalamazoo residents voted to make marijuana law enforcement the lowest priority for police officers. A ballot initiative is underway to get a marijuana legalization bill to the voters in November. This week marijuana advocates from all walks of life joined came together to pursue changes in cannabis laws. Patients, caregivers, and advocacy groups all met at the Clarion Hotel in Ann Arbor in an effort to coordinate their legal efforts and testimony.
New Jersey Joins other states in Synthetic Marijuana Ban
New Jersey has joined the nationwide crackdown on synthetic marijuana. On Wednesday New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced that the state has outlawed synthetic cannabis. Across the country many have been worried about the potential side effects of products such as “K2” and “Spice” which have been linked to seizures and heart attacks especially in teens. The substance will now be held in the same regards as heroin and cocaine can result in a $25,000 fine and 3 to 5 years in prison if convicted of possession. New Jersey is now a part of an overwhelming 39 states that have outlawed synthetic marijuana products.
Feds Oversee Colorado Marijuana Collective Shutdowns
The latter part of 2011 put a chill down the spine of many patients who were concerned about where they would have access to medication. Federal raids in California received a great deal of media attention as many news outlets claimed medical marijuana in America was over. Now that the dust has settled and the vast majority of collectives remain open, the raids seem to be targeting an altogether different goal than a total annihilation of the program.
The federal attention has now shifted toward Colorado. Several months ago, federal authorities issued letters informing 23 collectives that they would have to relocate or close their doors because they were too close to schools and in violation of Colorado law. Earlier this week federal agents were sent in to oversee the shutdown, which occurred without incident according to reports. While this is an inconvenience for patients, hopefully most will still be able to access relief without major issues.
Most patients felt that President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder indicated that the administration would not conduct federal raids on collectives. That seemed to match the tone of the statements made on the 2008 campaign trail, however, team Obama choose their words very carefully. They mentioned not raiding any establishment that followed state law, and even as recently as two months ago Eric Holder reiterated the position by saying “our thought was that where a state has taken a position, has passed a law, and people are acting in conformity with a law, not abusing the law but acting in conformity with it, and, again, given our limited resources, that would not be an enforcement priority for the Justice Department.” Of course the statement seems to be filled with exit clauses, but it does indicate that those following state law should not be a federal target.
Much of the media signaled the end for medical marijuana toward the end of 2011. That does not seem to be a well thought out idea as no state has revoked its medical marijuana program even in the face of federal pressure. Additionally, there are 17 other states considering medical marijuana laws and other states considering total legalization. Although California is in a state of legal uncertainty, the pending decision of the state Supreme Court may re-establish order and consistent laws so that patients are ensured their legally protected “safe access”. Colorado has over 700 medical marijuana collectives. With 23 shutting down, that represents approximately 3% of collectives. While those who are against providing accessible relief brag about the closings, it truly is just a drop in the bucket. Of those 23, many may relocate and be able to open up legally elsewhere.
While no advocates/patients want to hear about dispensaries being forced to shut down, it is important to keep everything in perspective. America has changed its views on marijuana and the Federal government does not even seem willing to challenge state laws. While the closings appear to be defeat on the surface, the fact that the federal government is only willing to enforce its laws on 3% of Colorado collectives may signal a victory for patients and advocates alike.
Money Talks
 
In the end frequently wish it was not the situation, we’re all unwillingly instructed to accept the truth that money truly does make much around the globe go round. Regrettably, altering decades of laws and regulations and anti marijuana sentiment needs a considerably large amount of cash.
A ballot initiative in California is focusing on serious change in the usa marijuana laws and regulations. The initiative is known as “Regulate Marijuana Like Wine” (RMLW). The committee for RMLW only has elevated $80,000 to date. Normally this might pose a significant problem, but new polls in California indicate otherwise. Based on reviews, 62% of qualified voters within the condition offer the initiative. This will bring considerable focus on RMLW which is likely the cause will attract contributor with large pockets. A current article in SF Weekly describes your time and effort by RMLW and it is titled “Marijuana Legalisation Measure Courts Billionaires for Vital Campaign Cash”.
Strangely enough, stated billionaire might be supporting serious legalisation efforts in Massachusetts. Marijuana.internet has formerly reported around the much talked about and possibly wealthiest marijuana advocate, Progressive Corp. Chairman, Peter B. Lewis. Individuals supporting RMLW might want to contact Mr. Lewis, because he has demonstrated he prepared to help financially with measures targeted at altering marijuana laws and regulations. Peter B. Lewis has lately contributed $525,000 towards the Committee for Compassionate Medicine (CCM). This comprises the majority of their money handy. A pr firm stated with respect to CCM their goals will be to “to make sure that Massachusetts patients have a similar accessibility necessary medical assets to battle debilitating illnesses that are offered in 16 other states.” Underneath the suggested program the condition Department of Public Health would problem cards after patients receive documentation from doctors. Centers would then result in cultivation of marijuana in addition to creating other items for example food items, oils, tinctures, and creams. If CCM is effective in collecting the needed signatures, they’ll expect voter approval in November.
Even though it is regretful that legislative change frequently requires bundles of money, we applaud the efforts of Peter B. Lewis. You will find many billionaires who don’t want to be also connected with marijuana, but his personal expertise with medicinal marijuana has permitted him to determine just the number of people his internet worth might help.
Financial Possibilities may open for Colorado Shops
Although rely upon the economic climate might be in a historic low, many experts wouldn’t recommend keeping cash under our beds. Even while rates of interest on accounts is nearly nonexistent, companies depend heavily on controlling their cash and financial records with the major banks. For individuals running marijuana shops, they’ve been avoided from using the most fundamental of economic tools, a banking account. It has led to difficult documentation and shops have to house more money available than is protected, opening the opportunity of robbery.
In September of this past year, Colorado Springs Condition Bank closed their accounts with marijuana shops. At that time these were the final bank to freely work with medicinal marijuana shops. Democrat Sen. Pat Steadman and Republican Repetition. Tom Massey are trying to find to alter this. They’ve introduced Senate Bill 75 which may create financial cooperatives that might be controlled just like a bank. Obviously these lending institutions wouldn’t be insured government, since many banks are.
Insufficient proper banking and forcing a business to depend only on cash appears to provide ripe possibility of a growing underground community. If there’s a conflict between federal and condition law however the shops remain open, why would a regulating body think that the reply is to prevent monitoring the paper trail? If there’s any suspicion of illegal activity, accounts and assets could be frozen immediately. Sue Harank, co-who owns Denver’s All downhill Herbal Wellness agreed and mentioned “It’s in everybody’s interest these individuals don’t have piles of money laying around.” Another advocate in Colorado, Robert Friechtel, director from the Medicinal Marijuana Business Exchange was cited as saying “Forcing shops to visit cash-only is crazy. Just how can proprietors securely and effectively run their companies with no spot to deposit money?”
This isn’t the very first example that highlights how Colorado is paving the way in which for any well run and controlled medicinal marijuana program. Being attentive to the issues in California, Colorado has produced a uniform system using their condition licenses. California continues to be forced to go to its condition Top Court to be able to clarify how Proposition 215 is used as numerous cities are unclear regarding how you can enforce medicinal marijuana laws and regulations. Colorado appears set on safeguarding its patients and without correctly run shops just how can safe access be guaranteed? Senate Bill 75 is really dependent on good sense. Many patients depend around the shops and then any business proprietor can’t be likely to function correctly by hiding money in a basement or acting like gangsters.