ASA California Roundup: March 17, 2014

Posted by 21pc on March 17, 2014

Contents:

Message from the CA Director - Let's do it again!

California News

  • ‘Cannabis Madness’ Revives Debate Over Medical Marijuana and Epilepsy (National)
  • New rules for medical pot (California)
  • In a Radical Shift, California Police Chiefs Push for Regulation of Medical Marijuana (California)
  • Odor, Sight of Marijuana Enough to Justify Car Search (California)
  • Medical Marijuana Patients Lose Custody Of Baby, Deemed Unfit Parents (Northern California)
  • Is it too late for California to regulate medical marijuana? (Los Angeles)
  • DEA, LAPD raid marijuana dispensaries, Beverly Hills homes (Los Angeles)
  • Medical marijuana brings in $8.6M in taxes to LA (Los Angeles)
  • San Bernardino marijuana dispensaries raided by police, sheriff’s deputies (San Bernardino)
  • Council approves medical marijuana ordinances (San Diego)
  • More than 300 marijuana plants seized from Merced home (Merced)
  • Calaveras sues to shutter 2 pot shops (San Andreas)

Events

  • Monday, March 17, 2014 – San Pablo City Council (San Pablo)
  • Monday, March 17, 2014 – Court Support for Elias Tuvor (Stockton)
  • Wednesday, March 19, 2014 – Court Support for Daniel Gregg (Vista)
  • April 5-7, 2014 - The 2nd Annual National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference (Washington, DC)
  • Wednesday, April 23, 2014 – Medical Cannabis Forum with District Attorney Candidates (Sonoma)

Take Action

  • Oppose AB 2500 – Don’t turn patients into criminals!
  • Join Americans for Safe Access (ASA)

ASA Website Spotlight

  • Medical Cannabis Research

ASA Merchandise

  • ASA Cloud Vaporizer Pen
  • ASA Condition-Specific Booklets for Kindle

ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings

  • Tuesday, March 18, 2014 - San Francisco ASA (San Francisco)
  • Wednesday, March 19, 2014 - East Bay ASA (Oakland)
  • Wednesday, March 19, 2014 - Lake County ASA (Clearlake Oaks)
  • Sunday, March 23, 2014 - Nevada County ASA (North San Juan)

Message from the CA Director

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, California! Are you wearing green today?

You helped stop a bad bill in the state legislature last week. ASA members and allies spoke up in opposition to AB 1588 in the Assembly Committee on Public Safety, and the committee members listened. The committee rejected the bill, which would have increased the minimum distance between dispensaries and schools and raised the fine for violations to as much as $10,000. Well done!

Now let’s do it again. The same committee will soon hear testimony on AB 2500, a bill that will make it a crime to drive with any detectable amount of cannabis in your blood, even if you are not impaired. The bill would turn law-abiding patients who drive into criminals. That is unfair and unnecessary. No evidence shows that medical cannabis patients are a public safety hazard. Grassroots activists have stopped similar bills in each of the last two sessions. Let’s be sure we do it this year, too. See the “Take Action” section of this email for more information about how you can help.

California News

‘Cannabis Madness’ Revives Debate Over Medical Marijuana and Epilepsy (National)
By Katy Steinmetz in Time

When the Wilson family arrived in Colorado a few days ago, they already had a two-month supply of medicine for their two-year-old daughter Vivian. Brian and Meghan Wilson, along with their older daughter, have just joined a growing population of “medical refugees,” those who have uprooted their lives elsewhere so they can get medical marijuana in a state where it is abundant and legal—even though there is little science assuring them that marijuana could be the cure for condition’s like Vivian’s severe epilepsy.
Read more here.

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New rules for medical pot (California)
Editorial by the LA Times

Although it was the first state to legalize medical marijuana, California is way behind other states in regulating it. The 1996 Compassionate Use Act provided little guidance on how the state could help ailing patients get the drug — or how to keep it out of the hands of those who weren't entitled to it. In the absence of clear rules, medical marijuana has been haphazardly managed through local regulations, and has become relatively easy to obtain, with few safety strictures, by sick and healthy people alike.
Read more here.

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In a Radical Shift, California Police Chiefs Push for Regulation of Medical Marijuana (California)
By Josh Harkinson in Mother Jones

California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana, but like the pimply-faced stoner dude you may have known in high school, it hasn't had the healthiest of relationships with Mary Jane. The Golden State differs from most others with medical pot laws in that it doesn't actually regulate production and sale of the herb. Instead, it lets cities and counties enact their own laws—though in practice most haven't. The result has been the Wild West of weed: Almost any adult can score a scrip and some bud from a local dispensary, assuming, of course, that it hasn't yet been raided and shut down by the feds.
Read more here.

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Odor, Sight of Marijuana Enough to Justify Car Search (California)
By Kenneth Ofgang in the Metropolitan News Enterprise

A peace officer who smelled the odor of burnt marijuana and saw the drug in the bowl of a pipe inside a vehicle had probable cause to search the car and its occupants, the First District Court of Appeal has ruled. Marijuana—unless used for medical purposes within the strictures of Proposition 215—the court held, remains “contraband” under California law, and thus subject to seizure, the court held. This is true, Presiding Justice Barbara J.R. Jones wrote for the court, even when the amount possessed is small enough to make possession an infraction. The court affirmed Michael Clarence Waxler’s misdemeanor conviction for possession of methamphetamine. Del Norte Superior Court Judge William H. Follett reduced the charge from a felony and placed Waxler on probation following his guilty plea. Waxler entered the plea after the judge denied his motion to suppress. He argued on appeal that the motion should have been granted, because the deputy sheriff who searched his car had no reason to believe that the amount of marijuana in his possession exceeded the 28.5-gram threshold at which the offense becomes a crime rather than an infraction.
Read more here.

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Medical Marijuana Patients Lose Custody Of Baby, Deemed Unfit Parents (Northern California)
By By Sarah Fruchtnicht in Opposing Views

An 11-month-old California boy was taken into protective custody because his parents have legal prescriptions for medical marijuana. His mother, Shawnee Anderson, 27, and her boyfriend, the baby’s father, 34-year-old Aaron Hillyer, pleaded with police on their front lawn in Northern California for their baby. Police were responding to a call about a domestic dispute. The couple had apparently had a loud argument.
Read more here.

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Is it too late for California to regulate medical marijuana? (Los Angeles)
By Kerry Cavanaugh in the LA Times

Monday morning, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer and Police Chief Charlie Beck will announce an effort to help property owners and real estate agents comply with Proposition D, which banned all but about 100 medical marijuana dispensaries that opened before 2007. Proposition D was essentially a compromise between medical marijuana advocates and City Hall to impose some regulation on pot shops in the city after previous attempts to control the industry were blocked in court.
Read more here.

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DEA, LAPD raid marijuana dispensaries, Beverly Hills homes (Los Angeles)
By By Joseph Serna and Emily Alpert Reyes in the LA Times

Drug enforcement agents raided and shut down several marijuana dispensaries Tuesday, the first move in what authorities say is a case they are building against a Los Angeles man. About 11 a.m., agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration with the help of Los Angeles police raided the Black Rose dispensary in Fairfax, Downtown Medical Caregivers off Main Street, Washington and Western Medical Group in Harvard Heights, Herbman in Exposition Park and two homes in Beverly Hills.
Read more here.

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Medical marijuana brings in $8.6M in taxes to LA (Los Angeles)
By KSWT

Los Angeles has collected $8.6 million in business taxes from medical marijuana dispensaries over the past three years. The city's finance director reported the figure the same week that officials began alerting business owners and real estate agents about the requirements of Proposition D. That measure permits only about 100 registered pot dispensaries in the city, taxes them and restricts locations. Officials say many more continue to operate outside the law.
Read more here.

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San Bernardino marijuana dispensaries raided by police, sheriff’s deputies (San Bernardino)
By Melissa Pinion-Whitt, The Sun

Authorities raided two medical marijuana dispensaries, seized several firearms and arrested two men early Wednesday during an investigation police say links the dispensaries to a San Bernardino gang.The dispensaries - one in the 300 block of West 40th Street and another in the 1100 block of E Street - have been a hotbed for criminal activity, said San Bernardino police Lt. Rich Lawhead.
Read more here.

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Council approves medical marijuana ordinances (San Diego)
By CBS8.com

The City Council Tuesday gave final approval to a package of zoning and operating restrictions for medical marijuana dispensaries in San Diego. Under the ordinances, dispensary operators must get conditional use permit from the city -- which will be good for five years -- and an annual public safety permit from the San Diego Police Department. Collectives may not be within 1,000 feet of public parks, churches, child care centers, playgrounds, residential care facilities, schools and other dispensaries, and not be within 100 feet of residential zones. Dispensaries also are barred from having on-site medical professionals -- a law intended to prevent such businesses from becoming "one-stop shops."
Read more here.

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More than 300 marijuana plants seized from Merced home (Merced)
By the Sacramento Bee

The Merced County Sheriff’s Department seized more than 300 marijuana plants Wednesday and nearly 100 pounds of trimmed buds from a Merced home that deputies described as a “commercial operation.” Deputy Ray Framstad said the residents paid someone to bypass electrical wiring, which allowed the growers to steal more than $20,000 in electricity from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. over the last six months.
Read more here.

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Calaveras sues to shutter 2 pot shops (San Andreas)
By Dana M. Nicholas in Recordnet.com

Calaveras County is suing to close down two medical marijuana businesses in Valley Springs, saying the operations violate county zoning code and lack required permits. One of them, Forgotten Knowledge Collective, has been operating for almost four years, and is the oldest of at least four unpermitted medical pot storefronts in the county. The other is Calaveras Medical Collective, which has ties to Stockton Medical Collective.
Read more here.

Events

Monday, March 17, 2014 – San Pablo City Council (San Pablo)
The City Council will give final approval to a ban on patient cultivation at Monday’s meeting. Please show up to tell them that is a bad idea for legal patients. The meeting starts at 6:00 PM at City Council Chambers, 13831 San Pablo Avenue, Bldg. 1, San Pablo, CA 94806.

Monday, March 17, 2014 – Court Support for Elias Tuvor (Stockton)
Support medical cannabis defendant Elias Tuvor at 8:45 AM at 222 E. Weber Ave. Stockton, CA  95202.  Dress in a professional manner and observe all courtroom rules to help the defendant. Thank you to The Human Solution for tracking this case.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014 – Court Support for Daniel Gregg (Vista)
Support medical cannabis defendant Daniel Gregg at his trial beginning at 8:40 AM in Dept. 5 of the Vista Courthouse, 325 S. Melrose Dr. Vista, CA 92081. Dress in a professional manner and observe all courtroom rules to help the defendant.

April 5-7, 2014- The 2nd Annual National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference (Washington, DC)
We are pleased to announce the 2nd Annual National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference, Navigating Medical Cannabis in the Mainstream, taking place April 5 – 7th at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. Americans for Safe Access and our allies will fight even harder for safe access in 2014.
Read more, register for the conference, and book your room at the Mayflower Inn today.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014 – Medical Cannabis Forum with District Attorney Candidates (Sonoma)
The candidates’ forum will be held at the Sonoma County Library located downtown at 211 E Street (corner of 3rd Street) in Santa Rosa, CA 95404. There will be a Meet and Greet beginning at 5:00pm with the forum starting at 5:30pm. Admission is free and the public is invited. Contact Kumari Sivadas at [email protected] or 707-522-0292 for information.

Do you have a medical cannabis event to share? Send items for the California Weekly Roundup to [email protected] before 12:00 PM on Friday to be included in Monday's distribution.

Take Action

Oppose AB 2500 – Don’t turn patients into criminals!

The California Assembly Committee on Public Safety will soon hear testimony on AB 2500, a bill authored by Assembly Jim Frazier (D-Fairfield).  The bill will make it a crime to drive with any detectable amount of cannabis in your blood – even if you are not driving while impaired. Regular medical cannabis users will always test positive for cannabis use, because cannabis is detectable in the blood for days after it is used. This bill could turn every legal patient who drives in California into a criminal!

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Join Americans for Safe Access (ASA)

ASA is the nation’s leading medical cannabis patients’ advocacy organization. The patients, medical professionals, scientists, concerned citizens, and other who comprise ASA are committed to promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. ASA works in partnership with state, local and national legislators to overcome barriers and create policies that improve access to cannabis for patients and researchers. ASA provides legal training for and medical information to patients, attorneys, health and medical professionals and policymakers throughout the United States. We also organize media support for court cases, rapid response to law enforcement raids, and capacity-building for advocates. Your support makes it all possible. Join ASA or renew your membership today.

ASA Website Spotlight

Medical Cannabis Research

The science supporting the medical use of cannabis is clear, but elected officials, law enforcement, and the media keep saying that cannabis is not medicine. In response to claims that cannabis has "no accepted medical value", we have collected research on cannabinoids and the therapeutic use of cannabis. Use these free resources to get educated and help educate others.

ASA Merchandise

ASA Cloud Vaporizer Pen

Medicate and advocate! The ASA Cloud Vaporizer Pen is perfect for patients who want to show their support for the medical cannabis movement. The pen has an ASA logo, comes in our signature color, and has a lifetime guarantee. 30% of every sale goes to support ASA.

ASA Condition-Specific Booklets for Kindle
 
ASA’s condition-specific booklets are the go-to reference for doctors and researchers when it comes to medical cannabis and cancer, HIV/AIDS, chronic pain, and other common conditions. These science-based booklets are also a great tool for patients who want to talk to their health care provider, family members, or others about medical cannabis. Download your now.

ASA Chapter & Affiliate Meetings

Tuesday, March 18, 2014 - San Francisco ASA (San Francisco)
The meeting starts at 7:30 PM at Lounge 847, 847 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103. Email [email protected] for more information.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014 - East Bay ASA (Oakland)
The meeting starts at 6:30 PM at the Oaksterdam Student Union, 1915 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612. Email [email protected] for more information.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014 - Lake County ASA (Clearlake Oaks)
The meeting starts at 6:30 PM at the Moose Lodge, 15900 East Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423. Email [email protected] for more information.

Sunday, March 23, 2014 - Nevada County ASA (North San Juan)
The meeting starts at 2:00 PM at the North San Juan Senior Center, 29190 State Hwy 49, North San Juan, CA 95960. Email [email protected] for more information.

Have something to share?

The “California Weekly Roundup” is a once-a-week email for ASA Members and Friends that focuses on relevant news and important updates, action alerts, meetings and special events. Send items for the California Weekly Roundup to [email protected] before 12:00 PM on Friday to be included in Monday's distribution.