A new state law intended to clarify local governments’ role in regulating medical cannabis dispensaries seems to support Redding’s and Shasta County’s recent bans on the storefronts, local officials claim. But a lobbyist for local dispensaries, who differs from state and nationwide advocacy groups worried that the law does just that, believes the new law could permit Redding to withdraw its dispensary ban, Sean Longoria reports in the Record Searchlight. Assembly Bill 1300, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in August and taking effect this month, modifies California’s Medical Marijuana Program to permit cities, counties and [...]
One of Redding’s most vocal medical cannabis advocates is questioning whether a low-income housing program run by the city illegally discriminates against marijuana patients, and he’s asked the Shasta County district attorney to weigh in on the matter. Meanwhile, city officials maintain they’re following guidelines set forth by the federal agency funding the program, Sean Longoria reports in the Record Searchlight. Rob McDonald, 50, said the city’s policy of denying or terminating assistance to Section 8 participants who use medical marijuana may be illegally discriminatory, regardless of any federal policies in place. “The city has [...]
It’s official. I have joined an amicus brief with a doctors group and surgeons regarding Obama health care! We will be filing in support of Florida and all the other many states in the Obamacare legal challenge. As some of you may know, Gonzales v. Raich is at the heart of the Obamacare legal debate from Congress, and now it’s going to the U.S. Supreme Court, Angel Raich writes by e-mail. (Learn more at Angel Raich’s website.) In a month or so we will file the amicus brief. Our team will be working hand in [...]
UPLAND — Aaron Sandusky has found another way to fill his time while his medical marijuana cooperative is no longer open for business. Sandusky, president of G3 Holistic in Upland, has gone on a speaking circuit at various clubs and groups in the community, Sandra Emerson reports in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. “I need to get in front of all these people. It’s important obviously to spread the message and at least tell my story because they need to hear it,” Sandusky said. Sandusky has spoken to other co-op owners, has spoken at City [...]
Americans for Safe Access (ASA) provides legal training for and medical information to patients, attorneys, health and medical professionals and policymakers throughout the United States. It also organizes media support for court cases, rapid response to law enforcement raids, and capacity-building for advocates. ASA just posted some of the highlights from its work in 2011, which are excerpted below. Click here to read the full post. LEGAL • We filed a groundbreaking federal lawsuit challenging interference and intimidation in medical cannabis states. This lawsuit invokes the 10th Amendment in an effort to stop the Department [...]
The director of the local chapter of a nonprofit organization seeking to reform California’s marijuana laws has been booted for his angry outburst during Tuesday’s meeting of the Shasta County Board of Supervisors after they banned medical marijuana dispensaries in the county’s unincorporated areas. Russ Belville, the Portland-based outreach coordinator for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), said in an apology issued to the supervisors that James Benno of Redding is no longer a representative of NORML. The chapter also is under suspension, Jim Schultz reports in the Record Searchlight. “They [...]
Medical cannabis patients and several noted industry leaders rallied Wednesday outside the federal courthouse in downtown Sacramento. They were there to protest the recent federal crackdown on medical marijuana dispensaries and collective growers, with Assemblymember Tom Ammiano calling on President Obama to order federal enforcement agencies to stand down. “I support the president, but he is confusing the issue by having these people muddy up the water and violate civil rights and human rights,” Ammiano said. “(Proposition) 215 is to be respected. It is an issue of state rights.” The rally came days after the [...]
Title: Medical cannabis protest in SacramentoLocation: Federal courthouse, 501 I St., SacramentoLink out: Click hereDescription: Join Americans for Safe Access (ASA) and a statewide coalition on Wednesday, November 9, for a peaceful protest at the Federal Building in Sacramento to protest the Obama Administration’s new attack on medical cannabis patients and property owners! Most of California’s legal medical cannabis patients rely on cooperatives and collectives for safe access to the medicine they need to treat the symptoms of cancer, HIV/AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis, chronic pain, and other serious conditions. Tell President Obama and the DOJ to [...]
Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the country's largest medical marijuana advocacy organization, filed suit in federal court today challenging the Obama Administration's attempt to subvert local and state medical marijuana laws in California. ASA argues in its lawsuit that the Obama Justice Department (DOJ) has "instituted a policy to dismantle the medical marijuana laws of the State of California and to coerce its municipalities to pass bans on medical marijuana dispensaries." The DOJ policy has involved aggressive SWAT-style raids, criminal prosecutions of medical marijuana patients and providers and threats to local officials for merely implementing [...]
Title: Protest against federal attack on medical cannabisLocation: Federal Building, 255 E. Temple St., Los AngelesLink out: Click hereDescription: Join Californians in a peaceful and legal protest against the federal offensive against medical cannabis cooperatives and collectives. Sponsored by the Greater Los Angeles Caregivers Alliance and Americans for Safe Access. Details: 888-929-4367Start Time: 12:00Date: 2011-10-24
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