After Being Sued, Solano County Votes to Implement Medical Marijuana ID Card Program Paul Marini | June 23, 2009 Vallejo, CA -- The Solano County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 today to begin implementation of the state-mandated identification card program for medical marijuana patients. The Solano vote comes more than five months after the medical marijuana advocacy organization Americans... Read more
Medical Marijuana Group Gets $139,000 in Attorneys Fees for Landmark Case Paul Marini | June 17, 2009 Oakland, CA -- The national medical marijuana advocacy organization Americans for Safe Access (ASA) was paid yesterday by the City of Garden Grove $139,000 in attorneys fees for a settlement agreement in a landmark medical marijuana case. The fees awarded... Read more
Rhode Island Legislature Overrides Veto of Medical Marijuana Distribution Bill Paul Marini | June 16, 2009 Providence, RI -- Both houses of the Rhode Island legislature voted overwhelmingly today to override Governor Carcieri's veto of a bill that would establish three state-licensed, non-profit Compassion Centers that can "acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, deliver, transfer, transport, supply, or... Read more
Congress Introduces HR 2835, The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act Paul Marini | June 12, 2009 Washington, D.C. -- In another effort to change federal policy on medical marijuana, Congressional Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced the "Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act," HR 2835, late yesterday. The bill, which was co-sponsored by 13 bipartisan Members of Congress... Read more
Medical Marijuana Provider Sentenced to One Year in Prison Paul Marini | June 11, 2009 Los Angeles, CA -- A medical marijuana dispensary operator whose federal case has gained considerable attention in the media was sentenced today to one year in prison and four years of supervised release. Charles C. Lynch was convicted in 2008... Read more
Federal Judge Suggests Leniency for Medical Marijuana Sentencing Paul Marini | June 10, 2009 Los Angeles, CA -- The Justice Department is seeking a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years for state and locally sanctioned medical marijuana provider Charles C. Lynch, despite statements of a new policy and no evidence of state law violations.... Read more
California Medical Marijuana Bill Calls for End to Federal Interference Paul Marini | June 09, 2009 Sacramento, CA -- State Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) introduced a joint resolution late yesterday that urges the federal government to end medical marijuana raids in California and to "create a comprehensive federal medical marijuana policy that ensures safe and... Read more
Medical Marijuana Distribution Bill Passes Both Rhode Island Houses Paul Marini | May 20, 2009 Providence, RI -- The Rhode Island House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H5359 today by a vote of 63-5, paving the way for three state-licensed, non-profit Compassion Centers that can "acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, deliver, transfer, transport, supply, or dispense marijuana...to... Read more
U.S. Supreme Court Affirms California's Medical Marijuana Law Paul Marini | May 18, 2009 Washington, D.C. -- Medical marijuana advocates celebrated today as the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a landmark case brought by San Diego County. Advocates assert that the High Court's decision removes one of the final obstacles to full implementation... Read more
DOJ: Policy Statements on Medical Marijuana Don't Affect Federal Sentencing Paul Marini | April 21, 2009 Los Angeles, CA -- Legal counsel for the advocacy organization Americans for Safe Access (ASA) will appear on behalf of Charles C. Lynch at his federal sentencing hearing on Thursday, April 23rd to challenge the federal government's claim of state... Read more