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Chuck Reed

Medical Marijuana Industry News January 6, 2012

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Federal Judge Dismisses Governor Jan Brewer’s Medical Marijuana Lawsuit

 

Arizona’s medical marijuana program has been delayed since it was approved in November of 2010.  Five days before the state was set to accept applications from potential dispensaries, Governor Jan Brewer and Attorney General Tom Horne filed a lawsuit requesting that federal courts decide whether or not Arizona could carry out its medical cannabis program.  Governor Brewer’s administration has not accepted any applications as they awaited the outcome of this court decision.  Brewer has claimed she was seeking clarity and wanted assurance that no state employees could face federal prosecution.  U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton ruled the state did not clearly establish a “genuine threat of imminent prosecution.” Joe Yuhas, a member of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Association, stated “We would hope that our state leaders will now recognize it is time to stop wasting taxpayer dollars in an effort to thwart the will of the voters and move ahead with full implementation of the initiative.”  It is unclear how Governor Brewer’s administration plans to move forward.  Governor Brewer’s spokesperson said the ruling was a “tremendous disappointment”.  Advocates for medical marijuana are hoping to finally see the program move forward.  (Catch up on our earlier coverage of the story).

 

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Portland Dispensary Will Change Plans to Include Vapor Lounge

 

Last week marijuana.net reported on Wellness Connection, a medical marijuana dispensary in Portland, Maine seeking to add social comforts to their business.  As reported, the move would seem to go against state law.   Newer reports now indicate that Wellness Connection is no longer planning a vapor lounge, which would have encouraged social gatherings.  Stories on this new development have not commented on whether or not Wellness Connection would move forward with their plans for other socializing such as its coffee/tea bar and an acupuncture center.

 

San Jose Collectives May be Spared as Mayor Seeks Compromise on Law

 

San Jose Mayor, Chuck Reed indicated that he was willing to reconsider the scope of a new law approved by the City Council.  In September, the council approved a measure to restrict the number of collectives from over 100 to 10.  They would also have to grow all marijuana on site which could be very difficult due to space restrictions.  In turn, this could have an tremendous impact on the city’s ability to meet patient demand.  Medical marijuana advocates were able to collect over 49,000 petition signatures in order to qualify a referendum. The mayor has also requested that the city council raise the current tax rate on collectives from 7% to 10% as a way of generating additional revenue to cover upcoming costs associated with the upcoming election.  This week the mayor said that there are changes he could support to the current law but that “The question is whether a council majority will support them. My preference is that we can negotiate some kind of ordinance that we can all live with.”

 

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Tags: Jan Brewer, Arizona, medical marijuana, cannabis, ganja, weed, San Jose, Chuck Reed, City Council, collectives, Arizona Medical Marijuana Association, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton, federal court, vapor lounge, wellness connection,

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