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Assembly Bill 2312

New Marijuana Regulations in California to be put on Hold

Tom Ammiano bill

Proposition 215 and Dennis Peron changed the course of history in 1996 by overcoming staggering political opposition to medical marijuana.  It was a great first step and should have been followed up with a more structured system for how to regulate and dispense medical marijuana.  The lack of additional regulation has steadily become a growing problem with the recent dispensary raids symbolizing state lawmakers futility in evolving the program.

State Assemblyman Tom Ammiano had recently pushed for legislation, Assembly Bill 2312, that would create a state run medical marijuana program.  Currently local municipalities have different interpretations of how to regulate cannabis dispensaries.  With many pending lawsuits, momentum for a dispensary ban in Los Angeles, and the fact that the state supreme court will not be taking up the issue for at least a year, many were hoping to see lawmakers provide a solution.  Ammiano’s bill passed in the State Assembly recently but was expected to face a difficult time passing California’s Senate committee vote.  The bill aimed to set up a “Bureau of Medical Marijuana Enforcement”.  The Bureau would oversee the entire program and allow local governments to collect tax revenue from marijuana sales.

While the bill or a similar one is needed, many analysts and members of law enforcement were not pleased with it.  As in any developing billion dollar industry, there were varied interests at stake.  As a result many were wondering just exactly who would be part of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Enforcement and what interests they would serve.  Additionally, the extent and specifics of what the Bureau would do seemed vague.  Law enforcement officials criticized the bill as being a free pass for dispensaries to operate without worry.  While that may not be entirely accurate the bill did seem ill equipped at ensuring a patient oriented industry.  It seems the criticism reached Ammiano as he canceled the Senate vote earlier this week.

Regarding the move he said “There is no doubt that my colleagues understand the need for this legislation, and I have a lot of faith in this committee that we can hammer out a well-balanced regulatory policy during the fall to answer calls from local governments, law enforcement including our Attorney General, patients, and the public to enact a highly regulated system for medical marijuana and provide a clear set of rules for everybody.”

If in fact Tom Ammiano canceled the vote in order to present a more comprehensive solution, then the news is not a total loss.  However, many are wondering if they will ever see the state politicians come together and place the rhetoric aside and protect dispensaries and patients.  To date, political solutions have failed and the “Safe Access” granted in Proposition 215 seems to be in jeopardy.

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