Bill Removing Deadline On Cities’ Medical Marijuana Decisions Goes To Governor’s Desk
The new measure would give local governments until Jan. 1, 2018, to regulate cultivation. In other news, the California Medical Association comes out in support of a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana.
The Press Democrat:
Bill On Jerry Brown's Desk Will Give Cities Better Shot At Regulating Medical Pot
A bill that would eliminate a controversial deadline in California’s landmark medical marijuana regulation law is awaiting Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature following a speedy approval by both houses of the Legislature. The bill, introduced in early January and sent to the governor’s desk Thursday, removes a March 1 deadline for cities and counties to enact medical marijuana cultivation rules and avoid surrendering that authority to the state, a prospect that had disturbed city officials and medical cannabis advocates. (Kovner, 2/1)
The Sacramento Bee:
California Doctors’ Lobbying Group Formally Backs Marijuana Legalization
California Medical Association, the influential lobbying group representing more than 40,000 members statewide, has officially thrown its support behind a proposed November ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana. (Cadelago, 2/1)
Capital Public Radio:
Doctor Group Backs Marijuana Legalization Effort
"It needs to be legalized, so it can be regulated," says Molly Weedn, the group's Vice President of Communications. "Right now there’s no system of regulation. Legalizing it will give it the opportunity that physicians will be able to better study and understand some of the clinical effects." (Bradford, 2/1)
The Sacramento Bee:
Here’s How Marijuana Legalization Would Work In California
California was the first state to allow medical marijuana. Now, two decades later, voters are expected to be asked whether to legalize recreational use of the drug. The legalization measure most likely to qualify for the statewide November ballot is the product of months of negotiations between groups with varying interests, from drug-law reformers, to growers and distributors, to famous financiers and politicians. Here’s a primer. (Cadelago, 2/1)