Friday, May 31, 2013

Tom Ammiano continues fighting for cannabis reform.



California Assemblymember Tom Ammiano today issued a press release about his continuing efforts on behalf of cannabis reform.  Here’s what it said:

Medical marijuana regulation efforts continue, Ammiano says

SACRAMENTO – Medical cannabis regulation is alive in the Legislature, despite a procedural mistake that stalled AB 473 on the Assembly floor today.

“This is not an easy bill, but it is a needed bill that has the necessary support,” said Assemblymember Ammiano, author of the groundbreaking bill to regulate medical cannabis under Alcoholic Beverage Control. “Unfortunately, the vote was closed prematurely and in error, preventing all the votes from being registered. I’m going to make sure my legislative colleagues stay focused on getting this to the Governor’s desk for his signature this year.”

The bill would call on ABC to set up a division that would monitor production, transportation and sales of medical marijuana, preventing criminal control and ensuring that marijuana was not easily accessible to those who are unauthorized.

Ammiano and supporting Assemblymembers spoke on the floor to clarify that the bill would not interfere with cities seeking to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries.

“The issue of local control on this bill has been addressed,” said Assemblymember Susan Bonilla.

“I hope cities will allow dispensaries so their residents who need this product can get it safely, instead of illegally,” Ammiano said. “I believe that a Division of Medical Marijuana Regulation and Enforcement will help cities see they can authorize dispensaries. Not only will the division’s oversight ensure there is no increase in crime, more cities will begin to recognize the economic benefits that others have already seen.”

The bill is fully within the spirit and letter of the Compassion Use Act of 1996, approved by voters, and is consistent with public polling on marijuana policy.

Despite today’s incomplete vote, Ammiano is continuing to work on the bill and is already in talks with members of the California Senate.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Bruce Margolin on the May 21, 2013, cannabis vote in Los Angeles






Bruce Margolin, defense attorney and Director of the Los Angeles chapter of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), talks about the status and political dynamics of the ongoing movement to legalize cannabis, recorded from West Hollywood, California, on May 22, 2013.
 

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Kirsten Hasberg on Energy Democracy TV



 


Kirsten Hasberg, Founder and CEO of Energy Democracy TV, talks about this organization’s efforts to communicate the vision and facts of a world of 100% renewables that will facilitate more democracy and world peace, recorded from San Francisco, California, on May 9, 2013.  Contribute to the Energy Democracy TV campaign on indiegogo at:  http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/energy-democracy-tv-free-crowdpublished-magazine-app
 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Raza Lawrence on the latest trends in cannabis criminal law, May 2, 2013






Raza Lawrence, Partner at Margolin & Lawrence, talks about Federal prosecution of cannabis in the era of ambiguous definitions of what’s allowed under the aegis of medical marijuana; about compensation in the cannabis industry as an alternative to disallowed “profits”; and the differences between Proposition D and Proposition F on the May 21, 2013, Los Angeles municipal election, recorded on May 2, 2013.