Press Releases

Advocacy & Rights Groups Defend CA Medical Marijuana Laws

Paul Marini | June 09, 2008

WHAT:  Oral arguments before the California 4th District Court of Appeal in San Diego and San Bernardino Counties’ challenge to the state medical marijuana laws.  A media availability with ACLU and ASA attorneys will follow the hearing. WHO:  Joe Elford,...

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California Assembly Votes to Protect Medical Marijuana Patients' Right to Work

Paul Marini | May 28, 2008

Sacramento, CA -- A medical marijuana employment rights bill, which would protect hundreds of thousands of medical marijuana patients in California from employment discrimination, passed the State Assembly today. AB2279, introduced in February by Assemblymember Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and...

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Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act Introduced in Congress

Paul Marini | April 18, 2008

Washington, D.C. -- Congressional Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced the "Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act," HR 5842, yesterday, a bill co-sponsored by Representatives Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Sam Farr (D-CA), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), and Ron Paul (R-TX). The act would change...

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Medical Marijuana Employment Rights Bill Passes Two State Assembly Committees

Paul Marini | April 17, 2008

Sacramento, CA -- A state medical marijuana employment rights bill, which has the support of statewide SEIU and AFSCME and the nearly 1 million workers they represent in California, was approved today by the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee on...

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LA City Council to Vote to End DEA Raids on Medical Marijuana Providers

Paul Marini | April 01, 2008

Los Angeles, CA -- The Los Angeles City Council will vote Wednesday on a resolution introduced by Council members Dennis Zine, Janice Hahn, and Bill Rosendahl calling for an end to federal interference in California's medical marijuana laws.

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Victims of DEA Raids to Testify at LA City Council Meeting Tuesday at 10am

Paul Marini | March 24, 2008

Los Angeles, CA -- At least three medical marijuana dispensary operators, who have been forced to close as a result of raids by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will testify before the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday at...

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Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Testify at Taxpayers' Hearing in Sacramento

Paul Marini | March 17, 2008

Sacramento, CA -- More than a half-dozen medical marijuana dispensary operators from across the state are expected to testify tomorrow at 1:30pm before the State Board of Equalization (BOE) at its Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Hearing. Dispensary operators from southern...

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State Bill Protects Employment Rights of Medical Marijuana Patients

Paul Marini | February 21, 2008

Sacramento, CA -- Assemblymember Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and several co-authors introduced a bill yesterday that would protect the rights of hundreds of thousands of medical marijuana patients in California from employment discrimination. The bill leaves intact existing state law...

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CA Supreme Court Denies Medical Marijuana Patients' Right to Work

Paul Marini | January 24, 2008

Sacramento, CA -- The California Supreme Court ruled against medical marijuana patient Gary Ross today in his fight against employment discrimination. In a 5-2 decision, the Supreme Court claimed that Ross could not rely on the Fair Housing and Employment...

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Medical Marijuana Patients, City of San Diego Reject County's Claim of Federal Preemption

Paul Marini | December 18, 2007

San Diego, CA -- A group of medical marijuana patients from across California filed a legal brief today using two new legal arguments that oppose San Diego County's attempt to overturn state law. The patients' brief, filed by Americans for...

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