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State & Local Government

NM Proposing Changes in Medical Marijuana Program

Medical marijuana growers in New Mexico say proposed changes to the state's program, which include new fees imposed on producers, weren't adequately considered and would destroy small-scale licensed growers.

US Supreme Court Hears California Prison Crowding Case, Advocates Urge California to Focus on Resolving Crisis, Including Ending Prison as Response to Drug Use (Press Release)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 30, 2010
CONTACT: Margaret Dooley-Sammuli at 213-291-4190 or Tommy McDonald 510-229-5215

US Supreme Court Hears California Prison Crowding Case

Advocates Urge California to Focus on Resolving Crisis, Including Ending Prison as Response to Drug Use

10,000 in Prison for Drug Possession at Cost of $500 Million a Year

WASHINGTON - November 30 - The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in Schwarzenegger v. Plata, a landmark prison rights case in which a federal court found the unconstitutional conditions of California's prisons were caused primarily by overcrowding and ordered California to reduce prison overcrowding from over 200% of design capacity down (by about 40,000 people) to 137.5% of capacity within two years. California has conceded that the state's prison conditions are unconstitutional but has nonetheless asked the Supreme Court to put the states' right to administer its prisons before the constitutional rights of individuals who are wards of the state.

"One of the primary reasons that the state's prisons are dangerously overcrowded is that California continues to lock up thousands of people each year for low-level drug possession. There is no basis in evidence or principle to expose people to this dangerous environment simply for the possession of a small amount of illicit substances," says Margaret Dooley-Sammuli, deputy state director for the Drug Policy Alliance in Southern California. "California must follow the lead of other states like Texas and New York and stop sending people to state prison for drug possession, which can be handled as a health issue safely, effectively and affordably in the community."

"The state currently spends $500 million a year to incarcerate 10,000 people for nothing more than personal drug possession," Dooley-Sammuli continued. "That does not include the unknown number of parolees who have been returned to prison for a few months based on the results of a drug test. This is a terrible waste of scarce resources. Treatment in the community is effective and affordable. Unfortunately, California this year eliminated funding for community-based treatment for drug possession arrestees."

"People who use drugs do not belong in the state's cruel and costly prisons simply for that personal use. We urge California to take the logical step of ending incarceration as a response to drug possession, while expanding opportunities for drug treatment in the community," continued Dooley-Sammuli.

Training Session -- Medical Marihuana in Michigan: Guidance for Local Governments

The Ottawa County Planning Commission is pleased to announce that it has scheduled a training titled, Medical Marihuana in Michigan: Guidance for Local Governments.

In 2008, Michigan voters approved a state-wide ballot initiative to permit the medical use of marijuana. The state legislature then adopted the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA). Since the passage of the Act, local governments have been working to interpret the new law, and ensure that their community is protected from any unintended negative effects. This training will provide information that will assist local governments in understanding the MMMA. In addition, information will be provided about issues that the Act does not address. This includes but is not limited to the following: federal preemption of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act; zoning for dispensaries and marijuana businesses; and approaches that can be utilized by local units of government to regulate medical marijuana.

The training session is open to local government officials, students, and all interested citizens. The instruction for this seminar is being donated by attorneys Ronald A. Bultje, and Daniel R. Martin, from the law firm of Scholten Fant; as a result, this seminar is free and open to the public. 

A minimum number of participants is necessary for all training sessions; therefore, pre-registration is appreciated. To register for classes or obtain additional information, please contact the Ottawa County Planning and Performance Improvement Department at (616) 738-4852.

Arizona Starts Medical Marijuana Implementation

Now that it's clear that Arizona voters have approved medical marijuana, the Department of Health Services is scrambling to meet the four month requirement to implement the law. Medical users could be legally using marijuana by next summer, Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Director Will Humbles said.

Medical Marijuana: Nearly 2,000 Patient Recommendations Nixed Over Quiet Rule Change

Medical marijuana patients across Colorado have learned that doctor recommendations for the card allowing them to use MMJ have been rejected. Why? A new health department policy that slid into place almost unnoticed -- one that's likely to disenfranchise and anger nearly 2,000 patients, as well as infuriating impacted doctors and clinics.

Colorado OKs Medical Marijuana Help for Poor

The Colorado State Board of Health approved a program through which poor medical marijuana patients can apply to the state registry for free and not have to pay sales tax on their cannabis purchases. But the standard the board approved for determining who is poor enough to qualify for the program upset medical marijuana advocates, who said some indigent patients will still be stuck with a bill. And even some board members expressed frustration that the health department — which has received millions of dollars in application fees since the medical marijuana program began — couldn't put together a program that includes more patients.

New Jersey Potential Medical Marijuana Dealers: "We Might as Well Grow Hay"

New Jersey officials setting up the state's new medical marijuana program got a pipeful from people hoping to get one of the six Alternative Treatment Center Licenses that the new law calls for initially. It was a raucous assault on the recently revealed regulations crafted by Dr. Susan Walsh and her staff at the Department of Health and Senior Services.

Oakland Leaders Attend Reopening of Pot Mega-Store

It was already known as the Wal-Mart of the marijuana world with 15,000 square feet of everything you ever needed to grow or smoke marijuana. Now, iGrow is growing even more, so much, that it changed its name to "weGrow."

Panel Suggests Adding 'Major Depression' to Medical Marijuana List

A panel that advises the state on medical-marijuana policy voted Wednesday to allow major depression as a qualifying condition. About a dozen people — including a lawyer, a social worker and a woman who drove from Las Cruces — spoke Wednesday in favor of adding depression, and the panel agreed 5-2. No one spoke out against the addition.