On June 3rd, 2010, the SB 1449 bill passed the California Senate on a vote of 21-13.

On June 23rd, 2010, the SB 1449 bill passed the California Assembly Public Safety Committee on a vote of 4-1!

Next, the bill will go before the full California Assembly for a vote. The date for this vote is not yet released. It was first brought to the assembly on June 3rd, and then sent to the Public Safety committee on June 10, which the approval coming through on June 23rd.

What does this mean?

S.B. 1449 was a bill introduced by Senator Mark Leno and it would decriminalize marijuana by making it a civil infraction only. This means no criminal record for the possession of under an ounce by anyone caught in possession of marijuana. Those charged with the infraction would not need to appear in court and would not get a criminal record – just a simple $100 fine.

While this does not fully decriminalize marijuana, it is a big step towards shutting down cops’ persecution of consenting adults who wish to partake in marijuana use. It would also help save the courts a lot of money by not having to prosecute low-level marijuana offenders in court or house them in any kind of jail. It will save a substantial amount of money and should help make the further push towards full decriminalization, legalization, regulation, and taxation.

Don’t forget about November’s ballot initiative, the Cannabis Act of 2010! If you are not already registered, get registered today so that you can help us make the big step towards legalization!

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As of now, the city is allowing any registered dispensary from before 2007 to remain open, while closing the ones which opened in the past three years. As the number drops, no new dispensaries will be opened until the limit of 70 has been reached. A curfew has been placed on the dispensaries, forcing them to close at 8PM everyday.

The most shocking number is that since 2007, approximately 800 to 1,000 dispensaries have been opened. All of these will be closed. That means an estimate of 2,000 (at least) employees will lose their jobs (that number is only at two employees per dispensary, which is highly underrated).

With these restrictions in mind (and the idea that each facility has to grow their own supply), how in the world will medical marijuana registered users be able to legally obtain their medication? At least by having dispensaries open, the marijuana is taxed, so that the state receives funding from this legal operation. Having businesses open, running, gives the state and government money – so why must they close so many businesses? This will only hurt the economy (job loss, tax loss, business loss) and the people of the United States.

Logically, the placement of the dispensaries has been limited. They are no longer allowed within 1,000 feet of a “sensitive” area, such as a school, library, park, religious institution, youth center, rehab centers, child care facility, and other dispensaries. This is sensible.

For the ordinance to come into effect, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa must approve it first.

If you didn’t know already, in April there will be Colorado’s First Annual Western Slope Cannabis Crown. It will be held in Aspen from April 17-18 at the Gant. The event was organized by Glenwood Springs resident Bobby Scurlock and the owners of High Country Caregivers, and include many events. 1,500 tickets were planned to be sold, most of which are already gone. The tickets for the two-day event costs $25.

This even is not about potheads, but to enlighten the public about the benefits of medical marijuana (as a patient, plus the economic benefits for the country), as well as for vendors to showcase their strains of marijuana

The conference is open to the public, but only Colorado registered medical marijuana patients are allowed to purchase marijuana from the vendors, and these transactions must take place outside of the convention hall.

Merchandise will be sold, such as vaporizers, grow room kits, and more. There will be charity events for the Haiti crisis.

There will also be information booths, live bands, and public speakers to inform the audience why medical marijuana is in fact a safe and effective drug for medical patients, and how the economy is benefited by medical marijuana (and how it would help if marijuana was legalized entirely).

But the best part of the convention has to be the Cannabis Crown.

Like the Cannabis Cup held yearly in Europe, the competition will determine which grower has the most potent strain of marijuana. By most potent, we mean high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC – that thing that makes marijuana effective) and how they affect the needs of the patient (how well they cure back pain, asthma, etc.).

The competition is going to be judged by Full Spectrum Laboratories, and there will also be spots for “People’s Choice Awards” that will be voted by the medical marijuana patients. The people’s choice awards will narrow down the competition, but the actual crown will be given based off a diagnostic test of the plant.

It is estimated that at least 400 different strains of marijuana will be at the event, as well as several edibles (brownies, candies, etc) on site. 40 strains have currently been entered into the Cannabis Crown competition.

The turn out is expected to be huge, so don’t miss out on this medical marijuana event!

For further information on booking and tickets, you can e-mail to cannabiscrown@yahoo.com or call High Country Caregivers at (970) 945-2492

The first video was filmed January 10, 2010 at the Los Angeles City Council Meeting speaker is Kristen Yoder speaking about the possibility of the new ordinances regarding the cultivation of medical marijuana.

This is a great example of a clinic that goes above and beyond to provide their patients with any and all information as well as the best possible meds and service. If you get a chance to cruise down to Venice be sure to stop by and show some appreciation, not only for operating an amazing clinic but for their work towards continued use of medical marijuana.

Here is another video that really needs to be shared… showing a lot of compassion for the collective she owns Kim Quagle  speaks on the medical marijuana ordinance and her personal experiences at the LB City Council meeting.

From the same city council meeting we also have found a video of Richard Eastman, a man who is well known in the medical marijuana movement and who is accredited with opening the first legal medical marijuana clinic in Los Angeles. This guy can really get the whole room listening and is at the very least partially responsible for medical marijuana having become as freely available as it is today, as Richard would tell you there is a lot more to do, but we have made some great strides in the past 15 or so years. Richard Eastman is not ony a operator, he is a patient of medical marijuana suffering from the HIV virus and explains briefly why he knows that medical marijuana is helping to change lives in a positive way.

There are viable arguments for both sides of the debate as to whether marijuana should be legal. Those who are against it often claim that if marijuana was legalized, underage use will increase as well as the use of harder drugs if marijuana is a gateway drug. Those who are in favor of the bill claim that it will fix, or at least help fix, California’s budget problem through taxation and through the money that would be saved on incarceration of marijuana use by consenting adults. Additionally, this bill will keep harmless and non-violent potheads from clogging up the already crowded judicial system.

The bill requires a $50 excise tax paid for by the marijuana growers as well as applicable sales tax paid for by the consumer. Currently, marijuana is estimated to be a $14 billion per year industry in the state – more than double the combination of all other agriculture in California. Marijuana taxation could potentially put a huge dent in the California deficit and quite possible keep the state from filing for bankruptcy.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, but this is a measure that should have been accounted for long before the current fiscal fiasco. Prohibition of marijuana was drafted as a way to control the public and protect the paper industry, and not as a measure to do what is best for the people of the country. Studies conclude that there are minimal health risks for those who smoke pot and there is no connection between crime and marijuana use. The bottom line is that the state of California is on the right track and we can only hope that the rest of the country will follow suit.

Unfortunately, until this bill passes, or the November ballot’s bill The Tax, Regulate, and Control Cannabis Act of 2010, marijuana remains illegal for those in California who have not gotten a doctor’s permission under Proposition 215. Employers and others can can still drug test their employees in California, as well as in other states throughout the country. Learn how to protect yourself by reading up on How to Pass a Drug Test.

Today is an absolutely historic day for the taxation, regularization, and legalization of marijuana! California State Assembly’s Public Safety Committee voted in favor of the A.B. 390  Bill by a vote of 4-3! This bill would set up the very first legislation to fully regulate and tax marijuana in the state of California.

A.B. 390 would charge growers and producers of marijuana $50 per ounce, and it would charge sales tax for all sales of marijuana. Marijuana would only be permitted for those 21 years of age and older, and will be handled similar to alcohol. This bill would allow consenting adults to possess marijuana for personal use, or obtain a permit or license to grow or sell marijuana to approved or permitted companies and retail locations, or directly to the public.

It is conservatively estimated that this bill would bring the state over $1 billion in revenue – a move that would substantially help the state meet its current financial troubles head on! In addition, it would help combat and possibly stop drug trafficking of marijuana from Mexico into the United States by making it cheaper and safer to purchase from legal companies and growers instead of from drug traffickers or gang affiliates.

This bill would also allow the state to stop spending so much in resources on policing recreational marijuana users, and allow police enforcement to focus on other issues of greater importance.

According to a Zogby survey in February 2009, there are an estimated 500,000-600,000 daily users of marijuana in California alone.

Guidelines for this bill would prohibit growing marijuana in public view or near elementary and secondary schools and it would continue to be illegal to be under the influence of marijuana while driving. In addition, it would be criminal to sell or give marijuana to anyone under the age of 21.

Another similar bill is currently waiting approval to be placed on the public ballot this November!  Read up about the The Tax, Regulate, and Control Cannabis Act of 2010 right here on OurWeed.com. This bill would also tax the growers $50 and decriminalize marijuana. However, it would also expunge non-violent marijuana criminal records and would require that revenue from the taxation would be directed at public education, public works, health care, environmental programs, and state parks – all very important and key areas that are struggling under staggering budget cuts.

Read more about The Tax, Regulate, and Control Cannabis Act of 2010 and make sure you register to vote so that you can voice your opinion on this important act!

Excellent news for California! The new Cannabis Act of 2010 has enough signatures to be placed on the ballot for 2010 to be voted on by the people. VOTE YES!

This new Act would decriminalize and regulate cannabis in the state of California in order to generate a massive amount of taxes and save the state a lot of money!

In fact, the act would also specify where these funds should go – where they matter most! The money generated are to be used specifically on health care, public works, public education, environmental programs, and state parks – all things that matter most to our state!

What would this Cannabis Act of 2010 do?

1. Decriminalize possession of cannabis (which is defined as all plant material and extracts of marijuana plants) for persons 21 and older.
2. Decriminalize growing marijuana plants for personal use (up to 25 square feet).
3. Prohibit use of marijuana or distributing or gifting of marijuana to anyone under 21 years of age.
4. Prohibit use of marijuana within 500 feet of schools or youth centers, except universities or colleges or within a residence.
5. Permit commercial growth of marijuana, with a charge of $50 per ounce minimum, which would be regulated by local governments.

What will remain the same?

1. Driving while under the influence of marijuana will remain illegal.
2. Possession of marijuana by persons under 21 would remain illegal.
3. Transportation or sales of marijuana to other states where marijuana is still criminal would remain illegal.
4. Commercial growing without permits or commercial licenses would remain illegal.
5. Sales of marijuana without required permits would remain illegal.

What does all this mean?

This means that persons of the age of 21 would be able to grown their own marijuana for personal use, and possess marijuana without fear of criminal reprisals. Driving while under the influence would still be illegal, as would contributing to the delinquency of minors. Persons over 21 could obtain permits and licenses to allow for commercial growing of the plant, and for sales to the public. This is the biggest step California, or any other state, has taken towards the taxation, regularization and control of cannabis throughout the state. It’s an amazing leap forward, and has found much support in signatures already.

Read the full article here: Tax, Regulate, and Control Cannabis Act of 2010

Vote yes for the Cannabis Act of 2010!!!