Show-Me Cannabis Regulation
Medical Marijuana Industry News August 31, 2012
Los Angeles Ban On Dispensaries Appears to be Put on Hold…
The controversial decision to ban medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles was met with resistance from activists. Many patients have been anxious about how exactly they were going to safely access medication and if they would have to turn to traditional illegal methods of obtaining it. The Los Angeles City Council, especially Councilman Huizar have seemed especially determined to end dispensaries even as the legalities mount against their actions. It appears that court decisions have invalidated the right for municipalities to ban dispensaries. While that did little to stop the city from threatening a closure which was set to take effect in days, apparently the ballot initiative from Americans for Safe Access did succeed. Organizers submitted slightly over 49,000 votes with only 27,425 needed. The signatures will be examined and validated which typically takes at least a few days. If the signatures are approved then the Los Angeles City Council will have 30 days to either overturn the ban or put it a vote by residents. Councilman Huizar still seemed determined to wipe any perceived egg off his face. He said the city could still close shops that were in violation of state law and operating at a profit. Of course marijuana.net searched extensively and could not find where ASA, or other organizers said any different. However, eliminating all 700+ dispensaries, many of which are not making a profit is an altogether different story and may have been an overreach on the part of the City Council.
Marijuana Decriminalization May Come to Springfield Missouri…
Many activists in Springfield Missouri have been seeking a new approach toward marijuana laws. The goup Show Me Cannabis Regulation was successful in collecting enough signatures to get a ballot initiative to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana to the ballots. The group was successful in collecting the required signatures. As the case is in most areas, lawmakers can approve a ballot initiative or reject the issue and send it for residents to vote on. While the City Council of Springfield voted 6-3 to approve the decriminalization effort, lawmakers now have 30 days to amend the bill. The move appears to be a shrewd move aimed at keeping the issue away from a public vote. As stated already, if the vote failed then voters would get a chance to approve the measure. Now it seems several of the “yes” votes by the city council were simply to keep the issue in house. Now they have 30 days to change and basically strip away the decriminalization law. Councilman Jeff Seifried said of that he supported passing the legislation “then gutting, the entire ordinance.” Unless our interpretation of this comment is incorrect, it sounds as if Councilman Tommy Bieker has similar plans. He said “I will be voting in support with the intent of turning around and working out the amendment.” Many residents may grow resentful that the City Council would take drastic measures to avoid having the people of Springfield ultimately decide the fate of the law.
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President Obama Participates in Reddit AMA Though Some were not Pleased…
As we close in on the 2012 presidential election, the candidates will try to utilize every way to connect with the people. We are in the middle of the convention season as Mitt Romney concluded the Republican National Convention by making his speech and officially accepting the nomination. On Tuesday the Democratic National Convention will get under way. In the midst of high profile coverage it may be a surprise that the President decided to pursue a very new way of connecting with voters. On Wednesday President Obama participated in a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) where he encouraged voters to submit questions. The president has also taken part in other online forums aimed at connecting with voters. While we cannot say they have not been effective, he has dodged the issue of marijuana reform and the war on drugs now several times. Yesterday many were upset that the president seemingly ignored the growing calls for marijuana reform. However, we at marijuana.net would like to applaud him for taking part, even if his answers were not ideal. The president seems to be more in tune with the growing online culture than other current and previous candidates. While he may be avoiding the conversation to some extent, it is a unique situation that a president would directly converse with voters. However, in the future a free pass may not be granted if he partakes in another online forum encouraging questions on everything but simply handpicking his answers.
New Developments in a number of States Bring Expect Marijuana Advocates
You will find already 16 states enabling legal utilization of medicinal marijuana (and Washington D.C). Furthermore, there’s momentum in a number of states to setup a regulating system for legalized marijuana. This type of system would treat marijuana like alcohol and would potentially result in a large tax revenue increase.
Voters in Michigan may get the opportunity to approve legal marijuana in November. Condition election authorities have just approved the forms that advocates uses to collect the required 323,000 signatures needed to obtain the problem to some election. Comprised of much talked about congress, the audience New Approach Washington needs an identical system to controlling marijuana. Two other states could also decide to setup a method of regulation and taxation too. Several several weeks ago Missouri approved the audience Show-Me Cannabis Regulation received approval to gather signatures for 2 marijuana initiatives. In Virginia, lawmaker David Englin continues to be vocal in the support of House Joint Resolution 140 which may also produce a regulation system for marijuana. It’s unclear when the law would pass but congress in Virginia are attempting to let the creativity flow in an effort to generate necessary funds.
Moving to the medical problem, Ohio condition Attorney General, Mike Dewine, grants permission for advocates to begin collecting signatures that can lead to a public election in November. What the law states could be referred to as Ohio Medical Cannabis Amendment. Once we have observed in other states, the brand new direction of medicinal marijuana appears to incorporate condition wide regulation. The Ohio law would also follow and generate a condition oversight commission. Ohio is really a condition where job deficits have hurt its economy considerably and lots of advocates believe that alternative treatment might be more essential now than ever before for that Buckeye condition.
With 6 states thinking about medicinal marijuana legislation presently, the amount of states legally enabling utilization of cannabis might be at 20 or over relatively soon. You will find certain to be additional ballot initiatives which are actually the best way to achieve legislative alternation in the U . s . States. Possibly earlier than later, marijuana advocates may have the ability to boast concerning the America getting 1 / 2 of its states enabling legalized marijuana.