cannabisnews.com: Pot Proposal's Impact Depends on Federal Law
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Pot Proposal's Impact Depends on Federal Law
Posted by CN Staff on May 11, 2009 at 04:27:59 PT
By Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
California -- When California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, the federal government responded by closing down pot clubs, prosecuting suppliers, threatening doctors who recommended the drug, and successfully battling co-ops and patients in cases that reached the U.S. Supreme Court.So Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, author of a bill that would make California the first state to legalize personal use of marijuana, is going out of his way to avoid a fight with the feds.
Ammiano's longshot measure gained some traction last week when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said it was "time for debate" on whether the state should allow sales of marijuana and use the tax revenue to help close California's gaping budget deficit. The state Board of Equalization has estimated that the bill's proposed $50-an-ounce sales tax would raise $1.3 billion a year.But Ammiano, D-San Francisco, isn't proposing to go that far. At least not until the federal government repeals its 72-year-old ban on possession, sale and cultivation of marijuana, or allows states to do so. Personal Cultivation Only If federal law remains unchanged, Ammiano's bill, AB390, would merely repeal California's criminal penalties for personal cultivation and possession of up to 10 marijuana plants. That means no retail sales, no tax revenue and - the assemblyman hopes - no federal raids.Only if, in the bill's language, "federal law permits possession and sale consistent with this program," would the measure legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older, with regulations like those that apply to alcohol.The cautious approach "acknowledges, to some extent, the reality we have right now," said Quintin Mecke, a spokesman for Ammiano. "I'm hard-pressed to imagine the (Drug Enforcement Administration) being that interested in what is in someone's private home," Mecke said. "I think they pay attention to major grow operations." Snipped Complete Article: http://drugsense.org/url/uHNz68SzSource: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff WriterPublished: Monday, May 11, 2009Copyright: 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #12 posted by AdaptBones on May 13, 2009 at 12:46:33 PT:
Simple
You would think that correcting a "mistake" should be simpler than this. The problem is indeed that they are not admitting they made a mistake when making the laws. So of course they are trying to come from the point we are at now, which is wrong. If you make a mistake you admit the fault (especially since those in power did not make the INITIAL mistake, they could use that argument) and then go back to the begginning and start over. That is how mistakes are fixed. Now I see it as our job to continue to educate everyone about the truth of cannabis and to get them to admit their lies. Once the lies have come to light we can push for quick, effective, sensable fixes. Now is the time for enlightenment of the facts. Blessed be.
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on May 11, 2009 at 15:11:51 PT
The GCW
I like your dream.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #10 posted by The GCW on May 11, 2009 at 14:06:12 PT
Start over.
The U.S. should completely end cannabis prohibition in every way and then start over.Regulate the plant *from the beginning* not the present end means.Dreaming...
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #9 posted by FoM on May 11, 2009 at 12:53:38 PT
The Hemp Hump
May 11, 2009URL: http://www.cnbc.com/id/30685661
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #8 posted by FoM on May 11, 2009 at 10:33:48 PT
Poll Boosts Push for Medical Marijuana in Ohio
May 11, 2009Columbus, Ohio -- Medical marijuana supporters in Ohio are headed back to the Statehouse armed with two pieces of new ammunition: recent legalization in neighboring Michigan, and new poll results showing a majority of Ohioans would favor the same in this state.Ed Orlett, a former state legislator who lobbies on the issue, says even he was surprised when last week's Ohio Poll out of the University of Cincinnati showed strong support for legalizing marijuana for medical uses.Seventy-three percent of residents said they were in favor of allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana for medical reasons.Results from the telephone poll showed majorities in every demographic group either strongly or somewhat supported the issue.Copyright: 2009 The Associated Presshttp://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio-news/poll-boosts-push-for-medical-marijuana-in-ohio-115187.html
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on May 11, 2009 at 05:16:55 PT
Pot Bill Passes, U.S. Laws Change, Then What?
May 11, 2009URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/10/MNQI17GMBR.DTL
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #6 posted by FoM on May 11, 2009 at 05:03:34 PT
MikeEEEEE
I think we have that one politician in Barney Frank. He's re-introducing the Bill again he said on Bill Maher. He is determined.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #5 posted by MikeEEEEE on May 11, 2009 at 05:00:24 PT
Backbone
Once one politician grows a spine, instead of waiting for somebody else to take the initiative, others will develop a backbone.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #4 posted by FoM on May 11, 2009 at 05:00:18 PT
R.I.: Lawmakers To Vote on Medical Marijuana
The bill would pallow for three nonprofit stores. Monday, May 11, 2009PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Chronically ill patients in Rhode Island could legally buy marijuana for pain relief under legislation state House lawmakers are set to vote on this week.The bill would permit three nonprofit stores to sell marijuana to the roughly 680 patients enrolled in the state’s medical marijuana program. House lawmakers plan to vote on the issue Tuesday afternoon.While Rhode Island permitted medical patients to possess small amounts of marijuana for pain relief starting in 2006, lawmakers never legalized the drug’s sale. It remains illegal under federal law.The state Senate approved identical legislation last month.Gov. Don Carcieri won’t receive the legislation until at least one of the bills has been approved by lawmakers in both chambers.
Copyright: 2009 Associated PressURL: http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/local_wpri_lawmakers_to_vote_on_medical_marijuana20090511bcm
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Comment #3 posted by George Servantes on May 11, 2009 at 04:54:29 PT
It's so easy to ban cannabis...
...now it's equally hard to get that ban lifted. Like in life, it's easy to do evil but hard to do good. But it ain't so hard if we really mean it, then it becomes so easy.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 11, 2009 at 04:47:28 PT
MikeEEEEE
My question if the 72 year old ban is every lifted why would we need this particular Bill unless paying more taxes is what they want? We will advance and get more medical marijuana laws changed under the Obama administration but we aren't going to be like what California seems to want. Equal with a vegetable garden is all I want.
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Comment #1 posted by MikeEEEEE on May 11, 2009 at 04:40:24 PT
72-year-old ban on possession
"But Ammiano, D-San Francisco, isn't proposing to go that far. At least not until the federal government repeals its 72-year-old ban on possession, sale and cultivation of marijuana, or allows states to do so."My advice to him, don't hold your breath.
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