California Prepares Ballot For Legalization.

[greenbuddha]

CA Medical Marijuana Backers Ready Ballot MeasurePosted by CN Staff on December 20, 2011 at 18:31:21 PT

By Lisa Leff, Associated Press

Source: Associated Press

 

San Francisco -- Medical marijuana advocates want to create a statewide system for licensing, regulating and taxing the industry as a way of persuading federal officials to ease up on their crackdown of California's pot clubs and growers.

 

After months of study, a coalition of medical marijuana activists led by Americans for Safe Access and a labor union that represents dispensary workers in Northern California, have proposed a 2012 ballot initiative that would create an appointed Board of Medical Marijuana Enforcement charged with overseeing businesses and nonprofits that grow, distribute, sell and test pot both in its raw state and in finished products like food items.

 

The measure was submitted to the Secretary of State on Thursday and still must be cleared by the attorney general before its supporters can begin gathering signatures. Backers hope that empowering a state body to monitor the industry would show the federal government that California is serious about keeping marijuana in the hands of residents who are authorized to use it.

 

In October, the four U.S. attorneys based in the state announced a coordinated action to shutter pot clubs and growers they accused of acting as a front for drug dealers.

 

"We think that this initiative will create a level playing ground that law enforcement will embrace because it creates a sensible process," Dan Rush, national director of the United Food and Commercial Workers' medical cannabis division. "The U.S. attorneys became hostile to medical marijuana in California and what we are doing is offering a responsible, dignified and sincere approach to the citizens of California."

 

The proposed initiative also would target local governments that have banned marijuana businesses outright by requiring counties and cities to authorize at least one dispensary for every 50,000 residents. Local governments would be allowed to enact ban dispensaries would have to get approval from voters.

 

At the state level, the envisioned regulatory scheme would be financed through application and registration fees, as well as through a 2.5 percent retail sales tax on marijuana and pot-infused products. Most of the proceeds would go toward running the enforcement program, although any profits from the fees would be earmarked for medical marijuana research and, in the only beneficiary not directly tied to the industry, to supporting uninsured emergency room visits in the state.

 

Coalition members started crafting the initiative earlier this year after California voters in November 2010 rejected a first-of-its-kind ballot measure that would have legalized recreational use of the drug by adults and authorized local governments to impose taxes on its sale and cultivation. Some medical marijuana backers were among the measure's most vocal opponents.

 

California was the first state to legalize the medical use of marijuana, through a 1996 citizens' initiative. The program created under that law is by far the most liberal of the 16 states that allow marijuana use for medical purposes. Doctors may recommend pot to a patient for any ailments for which they think it may provide relief, for example, and the state has no centralized system for monitoring users or the hundreds of storefront dispensaries that have sprung up to supply them.

 

If it passes, the proposed Medical Marijuana Regulation, Control and Taxation Act would constitute the first legislative changes to California's 15-year-old medical marijuana since state lawmakers in 2003 passed laws requiring counties to issue voluntary identification cards to authorized medical marijuana patients and set guidelines for how much pot users could legally possess.

 

Rush said the initiatives supporters plan to provide details about their campaign strategy and goals in early January.

 

Source: Associated Press (Wire)

Author: Lisa Leff, Associated Press

Published: December 20, 2011

Copyright: 2011 The Associated Press

 

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[nexplosion]

It's good to consider it, but then you have to consider the will of the status-quo.

[Croppled1]

Great link to cannabis news . I hope we can find a copy of their draft . The 2.5% sales tax seems reasonable if regular sales tax is excempt . For medicinal customers there should be no tax . Even at my age when many people say there is little hope of rebuilding a carreer or working again I appreciate the opertunity to learn . Some of the most succesful businessman I have ever met didn't start their businesses until after retirement . They did have their helath though , loved what they went into and employees with integrity that helped them succeed .

 

Daytona Nut and Bolt is a prime example . I watched them after working through a contractor at their Beach St location just down from Smokey Yunick's . I helped frame for pouring the concrete floor , sealed it and worked on the crew that did the renovation of the building using Pasco Steel Bldg products . One of my fondest memories of back then besides the great people I worked with are on days it rained and I used to plop down a $10 bill for steamed oysters at the Oyster Pub on Seabreeze . Anytime it rained they were a nickel until it stopped . I could put down 200 dipped in butter and each one on a cracker with a pitcher of beer at one sitting The drinking age was 18 . I weighed 135 pounds and worked two jobs to race motorcycles at county fairs every summer back in the midwest . I still have my steel shoe and helmet I could never bare to admit its over but life has so many interesting things to do . In that regard my disabillity has been a blessing forcing me to go in a different direction . I never would of learned to type or used a computer more then likely .

[greenbuddha]

Great link to cannabis news . I hope we can find a copy of their draft . The 2.5% sales tax seems reasonable if regular sales tax is excempt . For medicinal customers there should be no tax . Even at my age when many people say there is little hope of rebuilding a carreer or working again I appreciate the opertunity to learn . Some of the most succesful businessman I have ever met didn't start their businesses until after retirement . They did have their helath though , loved what they went into and employees with integrity that helped them succeed .

 

Daytona Nut and Bolt is a prime example . I watched them after working through a contractor at their Beach St location just down from Smokey Yunick's . I helped frame for pouring the concrete floor , sealed it and worked on the crew that did the renovation of the building using Pasco Steel Bldg products . One of my fondest memories of back then besides the great people I worked with are on days it rained and I used to plop down a $10 bill for steamed oysters at the Oyster Pub on Seabreeze . Anytime it rained they were a nickel until it stopped . I could put down 200 dipped in butter and each one on a cracker with a pitcher of beer at one sitting The drinking age was 18 . I weighed 135 pounds and worked two jobs to race motorcycles at county fairs every summer back in the midwest . I still have my steel shoe and helmet I could never bare to admit its over but life has so many interesting things to do . In that regard my disabillity has been a blessing forcing me to go in a different direction . I never would of learned to type or used a computer more then likely .

 

 

Cropp,

 

You've still got a lot left, Baby.

 

Be well!

[HELP!]

Hmm I think this is a great idea, MI should follow.