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Wednesday, June 16, 2010
VIDEO: Jessica McElfresh on medical marijuana at San Diego Public Safety & Neighborhood Services Meeting (5/26/10)
Jessica McElfresh at San Diego Public Safety & Neighborhood Safety Committee Meeting discussing medical marijuana regulation issues
NEWS: City leaders reach compromise on medical marijuana
Local residents will have a chance to vote on an outright ban of medical marijuana dispensaries this fall after city leaders reached a compromise on the divisive topic yesterday.
In exchange for placing a ban on the ballot, a majority of the council agreed in the interim to adopt stricter regulations on dispensaries that had been crafted during a lengthy series of time-consuming hearings in recent months.
Both items — the proposed ballot measure and the new regulations — will return to the council in the coming weeks for official approval, but it appears there is enough political support for the compromise.
“I do see some advantages to this as a stop-gap measure … if the people of Santa Barbara are given a chance by this council to decide if they want dispensaries at all,” Councilmember Dale Francisco said.
As part of the deal, the council tightened up the previously proposed regulations to allow only three permitted dispensaries in Santa Barbara, rather than five, and to require two dispensaries currently operating on the Eastside to relocate or close within a certain timeframe.
The compromise came after lengthy public testimony and a back-and-forth discussion between councilmembers as they grappled with their differing philosophies on the storefront dispensary model.
Francisco, whose ideology on the topic closely mirrors that of Councilmembers Frank Hotchkiss and Michael Self, said he doesn’t believe selling marijuana is legal in any form.
“This whole retail idea is crazy,” he said. “It was never contemplated by the voters. It is not allowable under state law.”
Citing quotes from one of the original backers of the Compassionate Use Act, which legalized medical marijuana for legitimate patients in California, Francisco said its clear that most dispensaries are little more than dope dealers with storefronts.
But others on the council — Das Williams being perhaps the most vocal example — argued that an outright ban would merely shift medical marijuana into an underground market.
“A ban is an illusion,” Williams said. “Just look in the newspaper in Ventura or San Luis Obispo. There are plenty of operations there.”
He added that regardless of their opinion on a ban, local residents should not be opposed to adopting stricter regulations for dispensaries, given the woeful inadequacy of the current laws on the books.
Williams also leveled a blistering criticism against those who have fought against the revised regulations, arguing that non-conforming dispensaries would have been shut down if not for delay tactics.
“It’s really offensive to me to be accused of not caring about children, of having nefarious purposes when we’ve been trying to shut down the non-conforming dispensaries or require them to get permitted under the new law for some time now,” he said.
The council had been on the brink of simply adopting the new laws last month, but Hotchkiss withdrew his crucial fifth vote after what he described as a significant public outcry from community leaders, including law enforcement, school officials and substance abuse recovery leaders.
Explaining his decision to pull his support for the regulations, the councilman said it is clear that most dispensaries are operating illegally.
“Any close reading of the state law makes it apparent they are outside the law, which is intended to permit those with medical needs to have access to marijuana and nothing more,” he said, adding later, “The closer I looked at this, the more I felt there’s just no way to do it right.”
In the spirit of a compromise, however, Francisco floated the idea of adopting a stricter ordinance while giving the voters the chance to decide on a ban this November.
Ultimately, six members of the council gave their support to that concept, with Councilmember Grant House in opposition. Those in favor noted that while the approach may not be perfect, it should finally break a stalemate on the issue of medical marijuana in Santa Barbara.
“The status quo isn’t working,” Mayor Helene Schneider said. “Everyone is fed up.”
The revised ordinance will likely return to the council next week for an official vote, while election materials related to a ban will take at least two weeks to craft and bring back to city leaders for approval.
Source: Daily Sound
In exchange for placing a ban on the ballot, a majority of the council agreed in the interim to adopt stricter regulations on dispensaries that had been crafted during a lengthy series of time-consuming hearings in recent months.
Both items — the proposed ballot measure and the new regulations — will return to the council in the coming weeks for official approval, but it appears there is enough political support for the compromise.
“I do see some advantages to this as a stop-gap measure … if the people of Santa Barbara are given a chance by this council to decide if they want dispensaries at all,” Councilmember Dale Francisco said.
As part of the deal, the council tightened up the previously proposed regulations to allow only three permitted dispensaries in Santa Barbara, rather than five, and to require two dispensaries currently operating on the Eastside to relocate or close within a certain timeframe.
The compromise came after lengthy public testimony and a back-and-forth discussion between councilmembers as they grappled with their differing philosophies on the storefront dispensary model.
Francisco, whose ideology on the topic closely mirrors that of Councilmembers Frank Hotchkiss and Michael Self, said he doesn’t believe selling marijuana is legal in any form.
“This whole retail idea is crazy,” he said. “It was never contemplated by the voters. It is not allowable under state law.”
Citing quotes from one of the original backers of the Compassionate Use Act, which legalized medical marijuana for legitimate patients in California, Francisco said its clear that most dispensaries are little more than dope dealers with storefronts.
But others on the council — Das Williams being perhaps the most vocal example — argued that an outright ban would merely shift medical marijuana into an underground market.
“A ban is an illusion,” Williams said. “Just look in the newspaper in Ventura or San Luis Obispo. There are plenty of operations there.”
He added that regardless of their opinion on a ban, local residents should not be opposed to adopting stricter regulations for dispensaries, given the woeful inadequacy of the current laws on the books.
Williams also leveled a blistering criticism against those who have fought against the revised regulations, arguing that non-conforming dispensaries would have been shut down if not for delay tactics.
“It’s really offensive to me to be accused of not caring about children, of having nefarious purposes when we’ve been trying to shut down the non-conforming dispensaries or require them to get permitted under the new law for some time now,” he said.
The council had been on the brink of simply adopting the new laws last month, but Hotchkiss withdrew his crucial fifth vote after what he described as a significant public outcry from community leaders, including law enforcement, school officials and substance abuse recovery leaders.
Explaining his decision to pull his support for the regulations, the councilman said it is clear that most dispensaries are operating illegally.
“Any close reading of the state law makes it apparent they are outside the law, which is intended to permit those with medical needs to have access to marijuana and nothing more,” he said, adding later, “The closer I looked at this, the more I felt there’s just no way to do it right.”
In the spirit of a compromise, however, Francisco floated the idea of adopting a stricter ordinance while giving the voters the chance to decide on a ban this November.
Ultimately, six members of the council gave their support to that concept, with Councilmember Grant House in opposition. Those in favor noted that while the approach may not be perfect, it should finally break a stalemate on the issue of medical marijuana in Santa Barbara.
“The status quo isn’t working,” Mayor Helene Schneider said. “Everyone is fed up.”
The revised ordinance will likely return to the council next week for an official vote, while election materials related to a ban will take at least two weeks to craft and bring back to city leaders for approval.
Source: Daily Sound
NEWS: Ventura County police raid alleged marijuana-delivery service
Fabian and Amanda Citraro touted their home-run business as "Ventura County's #1 Medical Marijuana Service!" in newspaper and Internet ads.
But "Mary Jane's Bud," operated out of four locations in Thousand Oaks, hasn't taken any orders since the couple's arrest on charges that they were running an illegal medical marijuana collective.
Fabian Citraro, 32, and his wife, Amanda Citraro, 30, also face a charge of child endangerment after detectives found marijuana edibles in the refrigerator of their tidy two-story home in a development called Teardrop Estates, Ventura County Sheriff's officials announced Tuesday.
Narcotics investigators arrested the couple June 6 after a monthlong investigation into the operation, Sheriff's Sgt. Robert Thomas said in a statement. They were growing marijuana in two warehouses located in a business complex in the 3400 block of Old Conejo Road, Thomas said.
A third location a block away was used as a central dispatch center where they filled orders and sent drivers to deliver marijuana to customer's doorsteps, police said. When authorities searched the couple's home, they found marijuana edibles in the refrigerator within reach of small children, Thomas said.
The couple was taken into custody at Ventura County Jail and are scheduled for a July 6 court hearing, authorities said.
Ventura County and its 10 cities have taken a hard stance on all marijuana sales, and there are no legally operating storefront shops. Medical marijuana users must travel to Santa Barbara and Los Angeles to buy the drug at shops, or order from delivery services.
-- Catherine Saillant
Source: Los Angeles Times
Fabian Citraro, 32, and his wife, Amanda Citraro, 30, also face a charge of child endangerment after detectives found marijuana edibles in the refrigerator of their tidy two-story home in a development called Teardrop Estates, Ventura County Sheriff's officials announced Tuesday.
Narcotics investigators arrested the couple June 6 after a monthlong investigation into the operation, Sheriff's Sgt. Robert Thomas said in a statement. They were growing marijuana in two warehouses located in a business complex in the 3400 block of Old Conejo Road, Thomas said.
A third location a block away was used as a central dispatch center where they filled orders and sent drivers to deliver marijuana to customer's doorsteps, police said. When authorities searched the couple's home, they found marijuana edibles in the refrigerator within reach of small children, Thomas said.
The couple was taken into custody at Ventura County Jail and are scheduled for a July 6 court hearing, authorities said.Ventura County and its 10 cities have taken a hard stance on all marijuana sales, and there are no legally operating storefront shops. Medical marijuana users must travel to Santa Barbara and Los Angeles to buy the drug at shops, or order from delivery services.
-- Catherine Saillant
Source: Los Angeles Times
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
NEWS: California May Urge New Federal Policy on Medical Marijuana
SACRAMENTO -- The California State Assembly Committee on Health voted 10-3 today to pass a resolution urging the federal government to end medical marijuana raids and to "create a comprehensive federal medical marijuana policy that ensures safe and legal access to any patient that would benefit from it." State Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) introduced Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 14 in June 2009 and, despite a Justice Department policy issued in October 2009, discouraging federal enforcement in medical marijuana states, advocates and state lawmakers are still pushing for a binding change to federal law. The full Senate passed the measure in August 2009 by a vote of 23-15.
"This legislation is needed now more than ever," said Don Duncan of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the country's largest medical marijuana patient advocacy group and a sponsor of the legislation. "Lest federal officials think their job is done, they need to know their work addressing medical marijuana as a public health issue has only just begun." Duncan testified today before the Assembly Health Committee on behalf of patients.
"Patients and providers in California remain at risk of arrest and prosecution by federal law enforcement and legally established medical marijuana cooperatives continue to be the subjects of federal raids and prosecutions," said Senator Leno in a prior statement. Federal raids reached a peak during the Bush Administration, with more than 200 DEA raids in California alone, but raids have still continued under the Obama Administration. More than two-dozen patients and providers are currently being prosecuted under federal law and face decades in prison. One such medical marijuana provider, James Stacy, whose dispensary was raided by the DEA in September 2009, a month before the Justice Department policy was issued, is scheduled to go to trial next month.
"Not only do patients in California deserve to be free from federal intrusion," continued Duncan. "But, patients across the country would benefit from a sensible and comprehensive federal medical marijuana policy." SJR 14 urges President Obama and Congress to "move quickly to end federal raids, intimidation, and interference with state medical marijuana law." But, it goes further by asking the government to establish "an affirmative defense to medical marijuana charges in federal court and establish federal legal protection for individuals authorized by state and local law..." Because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision, defendants in medical marijuana cases are prevented from using a medical or state law defense in federal court. The Truth in Trials Act, HR 3939, which would correct this problem, is currently pending before Congress.
SJR 14 now proceeds to the Assembly floor and, if passed, the non-binding resolution will be enacted without the Governor's signature or approval. The resolution will then be sent to the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each Senator and Representative of the California Congressional delegation.
Source: Opposing Views
"This legislation is needed now more than ever," said Don Duncan of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the country's largest medical marijuana patient advocacy group and a sponsor of the legislation. "Lest federal officials think their job is done, they need to know their work addressing medical marijuana as a public health issue has only just begun." Duncan testified today before the Assembly Health Committee on behalf of patients.
"Patients and providers in California remain at risk of arrest and prosecution by federal law enforcement and legally established medical marijuana cooperatives continue to be the subjects of federal raids and prosecutions," said Senator Leno in a prior statement. Federal raids reached a peak during the Bush Administration, with more than 200 DEA raids in California alone, but raids have still continued under the Obama Administration. More than two-dozen patients and providers are currently being prosecuted under federal law and face decades in prison. One such medical marijuana provider, James Stacy, whose dispensary was raided by the DEA in September 2009, a month before the Justice Department policy was issued, is scheduled to go to trial next month.
"Not only do patients in California deserve to be free from federal intrusion," continued Duncan. "But, patients across the country would benefit from a sensible and comprehensive federal medical marijuana policy." SJR 14 urges President Obama and Congress to "move quickly to end federal raids, intimidation, and interference with state medical marijuana law." But, it goes further by asking the government to establish "an affirmative defense to medical marijuana charges in federal court and establish federal legal protection for individuals authorized by state and local law..." Because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision, defendants in medical marijuana cases are prevented from using a medical or state law defense in federal court. The Truth in Trials Act, HR 3939, which would correct this problem, is currently pending before Congress.
SJR 14 now proceeds to the Assembly floor and, if passed, the non-binding resolution will be enacted without the Governor's signature or approval. The resolution will then be sent to the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each Senator and Representative of the California Congressional delegation.
Source: Opposing Views
NEWS: Juiced Marijuana Offered to Medical Users as Alternative to Smoking
A California physician is offering his medical-marijuana patients a liquefied version of the drug that he says won't produce much of a buzz but does contain chemicals helpful in treating a variety of illnesses, the Washington Post reported June 1.
Willets, Calif., physician William Courtney, M.D., said that marijuana with high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) seems to have the most medical potential; ironically, CBD levels seem to be lowest in marijuana strains of the plant that are highest in THC -- the main psychoactive substance in marijuana.
"What has happened is, almost all strains available in America through the black market are THC concentrates," said Ethan Russo, senior medical adviser to GW Pharmaceuticals, which is developing the marijuana-based pain medication Sativex. "The CBD in almost all cases has been bred out. The reason is cannabis in this country has been cultivated for its intoxicating effect."
Medical-marijuana advocates want to see more research into CBD. "The bridge to legalization is medical marijuana," said Addison DeMoura, one of the owners of the Steep Hill Medical Collective in Oakland. "I believe the bridge from medical marijuana to real science will be CBDs."
Source: JoinTogether.org
Willets, Calif., physician William Courtney, M.D., said that marijuana with high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) seems to have the most medical potential; ironically, CBD levels seem to be lowest in marijuana strains of the plant that are highest in THC -- the main psychoactive substance in marijuana.
"What has happened is, almost all strains available in America through the black market are THC concentrates," said Ethan Russo, senior medical adviser to GW Pharmaceuticals, which is developing the marijuana-based pain medication Sativex. "The CBD in almost all cases has been bred out. The reason is cannabis in this country has been cultivated for its intoxicating effect."
Medical-marijuana advocates want to see more research into CBD. "The bridge to legalization is medical marijuana," said Addison DeMoura, one of the owners of the Steep Hill Medical Collective in Oakland. "I believe the bridge from medical marijuana to real science will be CBDs."
Source: JoinTogether.org
Sunday, June 13, 2010
NEWS: Stonewall Democrats Endorse Marijuana Initiative 2010-6-12
Palm Springs Stonewall Democrats were all in favor of endorsing the California Marijuana Initiative to Tax and Regulate marijuana to anyone 21 or older making it legal to possess and to grow marijuana. The ballot initiative will be on the November ballot in California. Lanny Swerdlow presents a convincing argument that this law would raise millions of dollars for cash hungry cities and counties and put an end to the unjust prohibition against marijuana.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
NEWS: Medical cannabis collective to have first time blood drive for Red Cross
Harborside Health Center, one of San Jose's largest cannabis collectives, will host a blood drive for the American Red Cross on Tuesday. It's almost certainly the first time that a local medical marijuana dispensary has sponsored such a bloodletting, but after Harborside officials laid claim to being the first Red Cross pot spot in the agency's 129-year history, some confusion set in.
A Red Cross spokeswoman said there was no way to verify that. Then a Harborside spokeswoman said the Red Cross had approved the news release in which the claim was made.
In any case, the event Tuesday will take place from noon to 6 p.m. For anyone who feels lightheaded after giving blood, there will be munchies.
Harborside is part of a coalition of medicinal cannabis clinics seeking a regulatory ordinance from San Jose's City Council. But because the Red Cross has a policy of remaining politically neutral, top officials at the relief agency's Washington, D.C., office had to approve the event. Mona Helmhold, a local Red Cross representative, inspected the facility and found that it met the requirements for a blood drive.
Initially, Red Cross officials had misgivings about drawing blood from patients who were dosing themselves with marijuana, according to spokeswoman Sara O'Brien. The drug's active ingredient, THC, reaches the brain through the bloodstream. A ruling by the agency's head nurse determined that "as long as they are not at that moment high," Harborside patients can donate blood, O'Brien said.
Harborside dispenses cannabis by prescription to patients who typically suffer from conditions such as chronic pain, glaucoma, migraines, arthritis, cancer and AIDS. The dispensary has already signed up 30 donors, according to spokeswoman Gaynell Rogers.
Potential donors may call 866-236-3276 or 408-321-8424 to find out if they qualify. Information also is available at www.redcrossblood.org. Harborside Health Center is at 2106 Ringwood Ave.
Source: Contra Costa Times
A Red Cross spokeswoman said there was no way to verify that. Then a Harborside spokeswoman said the Red Cross had approved the news release in which the claim was made.
In any case, the event Tuesday will take place from noon to 6 p.m. For anyone who feels lightheaded after giving blood, there will be munchies.
Harborside is part of a coalition of medicinal cannabis clinics seeking a regulatory ordinance from San Jose's City Council. But because the Red Cross has a policy of remaining politically neutral, top officials at the relief agency's Washington, D.C., office had to approve the event. Mona Helmhold, a local Red Cross representative, inspected the facility and found that it met the requirements for a blood drive.
Initially, Red Cross officials had misgivings about drawing blood from patients who were dosing themselves with marijuana, according to spokeswoman Sara O'Brien. The drug's active ingredient, THC, reaches the brain through the bloodstream. A ruling by the agency's head nurse determined that "as long as they are not at that moment high," Harborside patients can donate blood, O'Brien said.
Harborside dispenses cannabis by prescription to patients who typically suffer from conditions such as chronic pain, glaucoma, migraines, arthritis, cancer and AIDS. The dispensary has already signed up 30 donors, according to spokeswoman Gaynell Rogers.
Potential donors may call 866-236-3276 or 408-321-8424 to find out if they qualify. Information also is available at www.redcrossblood.org. Harborside Health Center is at 2106 Ringwood Ave.
Source: Contra Costa Times
Guest Soapbox: Dispensary ban does great disservice to ill
Much has been said of the medical marijuana issue in Yucca Valley. People of Yucca Valley, it really comes down to this. On June 15, your town council is going to vote an illegal and unconstitutional permanent ban on medical marijuana dispensaries in Yucca Valley, which means there will be no access for patients to lawful medicine of choice in the high desert and Morongo Basin areas.
Fact: Medical marijuana is legal for use in California by lawful vote of the people and proper enactment by stage legislature. The so-called loyal opposition claim the law is full of loopholes, while in fact the state legislature, in great wisdom, specifically designed the law to require local government to properly regulate what is a ultimately a local issue. It’s local because it affects you and me regardless of how we think and feel on the issue. More importantly it affects the civil rights of each and every one of you.
What has happened is your town government has effectively cut and run on the issue. Now with three seats up for election, the incumbent group can force a majority decision to close down the only high desert dispensary available to our many cancer-stricken and chronically ill people.
So now, at the June 15 meeting, they are going to enact an ordinance and fully ban dispensaries in Yucca Valley on absolutely no fact except their group inability and failure to properly regulate and govern in and for the benefit of the people of Yucca Valley. And to the last sentence I would like to add the benefit of the many thousands who live in the immediate area whose dollars truly support Yucca Valley.
It seems to me the local cooperative has made every rational effort to work with this group of people who steadfastly have refused to do their job and properly regulate a lawful business operation. What heroes you politicos could have been to our seniors and ill people who daily rely on this legal method of medication. But then what can you expect from a group of dedicated cut runners, true Republicans, leaving the city in a financial and moral disaster?
Doesn’t anybody in this town have the guts to stand and run for the moral majority on the issue, or are you going to let your civil rights be trampled into the dust of the town budget?
I encourage all to attend and participate in this issue so vital to health of our community.
Source: Hi-Desert Star
Fact: Medical marijuana is legal for use in California by lawful vote of the people and proper enactment by stage legislature. The so-called loyal opposition claim the law is full of loopholes, while in fact the state legislature, in great wisdom, specifically designed the law to require local government to properly regulate what is a ultimately a local issue. It’s local because it affects you and me regardless of how we think and feel on the issue. More importantly it affects the civil rights of each and every one of you.
What has happened is your town government has effectively cut and run on the issue. Now with three seats up for election, the incumbent group can force a majority decision to close down the only high desert dispensary available to our many cancer-stricken and chronically ill people.
So now, at the June 15 meeting, they are going to enact an ordinance and fully ban dispensaries in Yucca Valley on absolutely no fact except their group inability and failure to properly regulate and govern in and for the benefit of the people of Yucca Valley. And to the last sentence I would like to add the benefit of the many thousands who live in the immediate area whose dollars truly support Yucca Valley.
It seems to me the local cooperative has made every rational effort to work with this group of people who steadfastly have refused to do their job and properly regulate a lawful business operation. What heroes you politicos could have been to our seniors and ill people who daily rely on this legal method of medication. But then what can you expect from a group of dedicated cut runners, true Republicans, leaving the city in a financial and moral disaster?
Doesn’t anybody in this town have the guts to stand and run for the moral majority on the issue, or are you going to let your civil rights be trampled into the dust of the town budget?
I encourage all to attend and participate in this issue so vital to health of our community.
Source: Hi-Desert Star
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