Last week was a busy one in Sacramento. Hundreds of patients and advocates participated in our California Citizen Lobby Day on Monday. Check out my blog about which medical cannabis bills won and lost by the end of the week.

There is a new action alert this week… Tell your California Senator to vote no on SB 987, which adds an additional 15% tax to medical cannabis statewide. 

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NEWS      

National

GOP Congressman Says He Uses Medical Marijuana To Ease Arthritis Pain

Seniors Now The Fastest Growing Demographic Of Cannabis Users

Clearing up misconceptions about marijuana rescheduling: What it means for existing state systems

California

North Coast marijuana growers fear a takeover by 'Big Alcohol'

Driving-while-high bills die in California Legislature

Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation chief says be patient until Jan. 1, 2018

California debates how to properly patrol stoned drivers

Local

Ricky Williams is becoming a partner in 'the world's first cannabis gym' (San Francisco)

L.A. County extends medical marijuana growing ban one month (Los Angeles County)

Allure of legal weed is fueling land rush in Emerald Triangle (Northern California)

Marijuana businesses line up behind Sacramento tax initiative (Sacramento)

Residents call for access to medical marijuana at county hearings (Ventura County)

Can't-abis: Santa Maria issues injunction against a 'dispensary' operating in the city (Santa Barbara)

Council discusses potential medical marijuana rules (Hollister)

PUBLIC MEETINGS & EVENTS 

June 1, 2016 – Cultivators Alliance Meetings (Los Angeles)

11:00 AM at a location to be announced. The Cultivators Alliance is dedicated to reforms Los Angeles city laws to allow for licensed medical cannabis in the city. This month’s agenda includes election to the Board of Directors, local and state updates, and more. Admission is $100 or free for monthly donors. Email [email protected] for the address and more information.

June 2, 2016 – Berkeley Medical Cannabis Commission Meeting (Berkeley)

2-4:00 PM at Berkeley City Hall, Redwood Room, 6^th Floor, 2180 Milvia St., Berkeley, CA 94704.  This month's agenda items include: public comment, cultivation licensing selection process, discussion of M zone visit, discussion of Planning Commission May 15, discussion licensing Berkeley delivery services, discussion BCC agenda - sizing cultivation ordinance, choosing MCC rep for next Planning Commission. The regular meeting agenda packet will be posted on-line no later than seven days prior to the meetings on the MCC’s webpage: http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/medicalcannabis/

TAKE ACTION NOW 

Say NO to a 15% tax on medical cannabis in California!

Tell your California Senator to vote no on SB 987 (McGuire), a bill that will add an additional 15% excise tax to medical cannabis consumption statewide. The bill would add this new tax on top of existing sales tax and any new or existing taxes imposed by cities or counties.

SB 987 is harmful for patients. Medical cannabis is already subject to ordinary sales and use tax of between 7.5 and 10%, depending on the jurisdiction. Additionally, some cities and counties already impose an additional local tax of up to 15% on medical cannabis.

Adding an additional 15% to the cost of medical cannabis, which is not covered by insurance, will be an economic hardship for legal patients – especially those who are already economically vulnerable… Read more and take action on the web. 

COURT SUPPORT 

What is Court Support and how do I get involved? 

No court support requests were received this week. 

Find more information and additional listings on The Human Solution Calendar: http://www.thsintl.org/calendar

ASA WEBSITE SPOTLIGHT 

ASA Blog: Wins and Losses Following the California Citizen Lobby Day

Medical cannabis patients and other stakeholders in California scored victories and suffered defeats in the state legislature today. The Appropriations Committees in the Assembly and Senate decided the fate of hundreds of bills today in their biannual “suspense hearings” – including important bills related to medical cannabis licensing, taxation, and patients’ rights.

The committee votes come just four days after more than one hundred and fifty medical cannabis patients and caregivers gathered in Sacramento to talk face-to-face with lawmakers and staff about medical cannabis bills. Participants in the California Citizen Lobby Day took more than 200 meetings with lawmakers and staff – including members who cast votes in today’s suspense hearings… Read the full blog on the website.  

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.