Tell Calif. legislators to respect medical marijuana patients

Published: July 12, 2011

Two proposals that could erode the California medical marijuana program have been making their way though the committee process and are now set to be voted on by full legislative bodies. AB 1300 – introduced by Assemblymember Blumenfield – and SB 847 – introduced by Sen. Correa – could be voted on any day, so please take action now!

AB 1300 could potentially allow cities and counties in California to ban medical marijuana collectives and other providers. This will accomplish little with the exception of driving legitimately ill Californians to a criminal market to access their medicine. While many localities already ban dispensaries, bans are being challenged in court. Please ask your senator to vote “no” on this bill. 

SB 847 would create a 600-foot radius around residential zones or residential uses where medical marijuana providers would not be allowed to operate. Since many areas that are zoned other than residential allow residential use, this bill could effectively ban medical marijuana providers from populated areas leading to the same unacceptable consequence of patients having to avail themselves of the criminal market for their medicine. Please ask your assemblymember to oppose this misguided bill.

Thanks much for your advocacy.