ASA California Message

~Zen~ · Feb 24, 2014

From the California Director of ASA:

Message from the CA Director

The California legislative session is underway, and three significant medical cannabis measures were introduced before last Friday’s deadline for new bills. The latest effort to regulate commercial medical cannabis activity and doctors who recommend medical cannabis is a bill by Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana). SB 1262 is sponsored by the California League of Cities and the California Police Chief Association, two powerful lobby groups that have opposed any regulation of medical cannabis in California until now. It is encouraging to see these two groups coming to the table this year.

The introduction of SB 1262 may be a milestone in overcoming the impasse on medical cannabis regulation in California, but the bill has both good and bad provisions. The good news is that SB 1262 places regulatory control of commercial medical cannabis activity in the Department of Health, where ASA believes it belongs. We do not think it is best to regulate medical cannabis like a vice (i.e. alcohol or tobacco). Furthermore, the bill’s provisions about safety and operational standards for dispensaries are largely reasonable and in line with emerging professional standards in the field.

The bad news is that SB 1262 recognizes the right of local jurisdictions to ban medical cannabis patients’ associations, which reaffirms the status quo established by the California’s Supreme Court decision in Riverside v. Inland Empire Patients Wellness Center last year. The bill also contains severe restrictions on doctors who recommend medical cannabis in California. The heavy-handed regulations are sure to raise the ire of the medical community, and if adopted, may even lead to litigation.

ASA knows that the best outcomes result from having those affected by legislation at the table when bills are debated, amended, and finally approved or rejected. That is why it is important that each of you make a commitment to participate in the process this year. We will need grassroots advocacy in every legislative district in the state, in the Capitol, online, and in our communities. Thanks for helping!
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ASA California Message

~Zen~ California Tripper Administrator

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ASA California Message

~Zen~ California Tripper Administrator

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