Medical Marijuana Update

There will be no medical marijuana initiative in Oklahoma this year, Jeb Bush comes out against Florida's medical marijuana initiative, San Diego patients are trying a novel tack in their battle with the city, and more. Let's get to it:

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Last Tuesday, Madera County supervisors adopted a revised cultivation ordinance that will dramatically increase fines for violating it. All grows must be in an enclosed 120-square foot building. The current fine is $250 for growing "outside" the ordinance; the revised ordinance increases the fine to $250 per plant.

Last Wednesday, eight San Diego patients filed a complaint against the city and the mayor charging that the city's harsh land use and other restrictions on dispensaries and collectives violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. The complaint charges the city with violating state law with its restrictions. The complaint seeks to suspend enforcement of the city's ordinance until it is resolved.

On Tuesday, California advocates raised the alarm on an amended medical marijuana bill. A bill intended to force law enforcement to return unlawfully seized medical marijuana has been amended in the Assembly Appropriations Committee to gut that language, and that has Americans for Safe Access raising the alarm. Senate Bill 1193 has been turned from a good bill into a bad one, the group says, and is asking sponsor Sen. Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) to pull it. Click on the link to add your two cents.

Florida

Last Friday, Jeb Bush came out in opposition to the state's medical marijuana initiative. Former Republican state governor and potential 2016 presidential candidate Jeb Bush has come out against Amendment 2, the state's medical marijuana initiative. "Florida leaders and citizens have worked for years to make the Sunshine State a world-class location to start or run a business, a family-friendly destination for tourism and a desirable place to raise a family or retire," Bush said. "Allowing large-scale, marijuana operations to take root across Florida, under the guise of using it for medicinal purposes, runs counter to all of these efforts," he added. Bush appears to be out of step with Florida voters, who are supporting the measure in the 85-90% range, according to recent polls.

Hawaii

On Monday, advocates announced medical marijuana events this weekend. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii (cofounders of the Medical Cannabis Coalition of Hawaii) have announced three free public events on medical marijuana policy next weekend. "Policy Perspectives on Medical Marijuana" will take place in Oahu and Hilo, while a talk session will be held in Kona. Click on the link for more details.

Iowa

Last Thursday, the state announced public hearings about its new CBD cannabis oil law. Iowans who have something to say about the state's new law decriminalizing the possession of low-THC, high-CBD cannabis oil for epileptics will get a chance at a series of public hearings. They will be held in six cities: Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Mason City, Ottumwa, and Sioux City. Click on the link for times and dates, as well information on submitting comment via email or snail mail.

Minnesota

On Tuesday, a Minnesota mom has been arrested for giving her son cannabis oil too soon. Although the state this year passed a law allowing for the use of some forms of medical marijuana, it doesn't go into effect until next July. That's too long to wait for Angela Brown, who traveled to Colorado to obtain cannabis oil for her 15-year-old son. Now she is facing two criminal misdemeanors, including child endangerment. The family says it is now considering moving to Colorado so the boy can get his medicine without his mom facing prosecution.

Oklahoma

Last Saturday, organizers conceded that their initiative signature-gathering campaign would fall short. There will be no medical marijuana initiative in the Sooner State this year. Saturday was the deadline for handing in signatures, and organizers concede they don't have enough valid signatures. They vow to be back at next year.

[For extensive information about the medical marijuana debate, presented in a neutral format, visit MedicalMarijuana.ProCon.org.]