Legislation seeking to tax and regulate marijuana wins historic victory
Last update: January 15, 2010
On Tuesday, January 12, the California Assemblys Public Safety Committee voted 4-3 in support of A.B. 390 legislation authored by Asm. Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) that would remove criminal penalties for adult marijuana use and tax and regulate it like alcohol. The bill isnt progressing further this year but this committee vote was a significant milestone for advocates of marijuana policy reform. In fact, this was the first time in U.S. history that any state legislative body has ever voted to tax and regulate marijuana.
Here is video of MPPs California policy director, Aaron Smith, testifying before the committee:
You can watch the whole hearing
here.
Sign up for MPPs state and national e-mail alerts so that you can stay informed about future efforts in California.
If you're interested in doing more to advocate for sensible marijuana policy in California, please contact MPP's California policy director, Aaron Smith, at asmith@mpp.org.
Medical marijuana still under fire despite massive public support
Although it has been 13 years since California voters approved Proposition 215 — the Compassionate Use Act — allowing patients to use marijuana for medical purposes, there is still fierce opposition from law enforcement in some parts of the state.
In Los Angeles, where upwards of 1,000 medical marijuana dispensing collectives now operate and the city is working to regulate them, L.A. District Attorney Steve Cooley has determined that all medical marijuana storefronts are illegal and has vowed to close them down and prosecute their operators. Several collectives have already been raided by local law enforcement and state charges have been filed in at least one case. Cooley's determination that all medical marijuana sales violate state law contradicts the California Attorney General's guidelines on medical marijuana issued in 2008.
Further, Los Angeles voters overwhelmingly support medical marijuana. A Mason-Dixon poll, commissioned by MPP in October 2009, found that 74% of Los Angeles County voters support the state's medical marijuana law. Seventy-seven percent said that they prefer regulating L.A.-area medical marijuana facilities over closing them all down. The poll can be downloaded here.
This wrong-headed approach to state law isn't confined to Los Angeles. San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis has carried out shocking raids on many of the county's medical marijuana facilities. An October poll, commissioned by drug addiction recovery group KeepComingBack.com, also found supermajority support for medical marijuana access in San Diego.
If you live in a community where law enforcement is disobeying California's compassionate medical marijuana laws, please contact MPP's California policy director, Aaron Smith, at asmith@mpp.org to find out how you can help.
California's medical marijuana ID card program
Visit our FAQ page to learn more about California's medical marijuana ID card program. If your county isn't issuing the state ID cards, contact MPP's California policy director, Aaron Smith to find out how you can help bring this important program to your area.
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