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July 13 – A story by Joseph Abrams of FOXNews.com begins, “California’s tax board says the state could reap about $1.4 billion by taxing their biggest cash crop — marijuana — but their estimate appears to be based on hazy ‘studies’ conducted by marijuana advocates.”

CalNORML director Dale Gieringer writes: “While Fox news is right that studies on marijuana consumption are hazy, it is confused about how Cal NORML got its estimates on marijuana consumption in CA. In fact, our estimates are lower than those of the ONDCP.”…

July 22 – Last night’s landslide victory for Oakland’s cannabis business tax, Measure F, by 79.9% mirrors the historic 79.6% victory of San Francisco’s path-breaking medical marijuana initiative, Prop. P, in 1991. Like Prop. P, Measure F seems destined to serve as a model for cannabis reform elsewhere in the state and country.

Measure F would impose a 1.8% tax on the city’s medical cannabis businesses, raising an estimated $300,000 for the city.

Kudos to attorney James Anthony for having proposed and authored this measure; to councilmember Rebecca Kaplan for having shepherded it through City Council; and to medical cannabis collective directors Steve DeAngelo, Richard Lee, and Keith Stephenson for their enlightened support of this landmark measure.…

July 23 – Prop 215 advocates should take a close look at the LA City Council’s resolution calling for clarification of state medical marijuana laws.
The resolution outlines several measures that the council would like to see implemented, among them state licensing and standards for dispensaries, a requirement that they organize as “mutual benefit corporations,” and closer oversight of MMJ doctors by the State Medical Board.
– DG

July 18 – At yesterday’s LA city council meeting, councilmember Janice Hahn introduced a motion to study the feasibility of taxing medical marijuana collectives in Los Angeles.…

Board of Equalization, Cal NORML Agree On Benefits of Ammiano Bill AB 390

July 15 – Assemblyman Tom Ammiano’s marijuana legalization bill would net California $1.38 billion in tax revenues per year, according to a newly released analysis by the State Board of Equalization. The BOE’s estimate parallels a similar analysis by California NORML, which estimated tax revenues at $1.01-$1.26 billion: Not included are savings in law enforcement costs for investigating, arresting, prosecuting, and imprisoning marijuana offenders, which are estimated to total some hundreds of millions per year.…

July 15 – A new nationwide CBS News poll reports 41% support for marijuana legalization. This is a 10% jump since the last CBS poll just four months ago! The West shows highest support: 46% for, 48% against (support would likely be higher within California). The under 35 age group is supportive; a majority of over 35-year-olds oppose.

The CBS poll figures are lower than the recent California Field poll results, but in the same ballpark. The results confirm that a pro-legalization majority is in the process of forming in the West, while a national majority is likely to emerge in coming years.…

The California Marijuana Report with former Westwood One news reporter, KGO radio producer, screen actor and Libertarian activist Eric Brenner. The CMR is a new weekly segment on the NORML DAILY AUDIO STASH. This podcast will focus on California marijuana news and music. We go beyond the headlines and interview elected officials and marijuana law experts as well as profile California residents currently incarcerated or being prosecuted for marijuana offenses. This weekly demand for liberty will not end until every single Californian imprisoned for marijuana sees daylight again.…

UPDATE December 8, 2017 – The VA has issued VHA Policy Directive 2017-1315 stating, “Veterans must not be denied VHA services solely because they are participating in State-approved marijuana programs.” The directive, signed by Executive in Charge Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D., replaces VHA Directive 2011-004 which had the same language. The new directive is scheduled for recertification on or before the last working day of December 2022.

Like the old directive, the current one does not allow VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis, or for VA pharmacies to supply it.…

Jun 22 – The CAMP (Campaign Against Marijuana Planting) marijuana eradication helicopter program is starting operation today, according to reporter Glenda Anderson of the Sonoma Press-Democrat. This is two weeks earlier than the traditional start of CAMP. Authorities say that more gardens are being planted early, perhaps due to the introduction of new varieties.
– D. Gieringer, Cal NORML

CAMP data…

Cal NORML thanks Rep. Barney Frank for re-introducing his bill to let states legally regulate medical marijuana. The bill, HR 2835, known as the Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act, would exempt California and other states with medical marijuana laws from federal
laws prohibiting the prescription, recommendation, possession, production, or distribution of medical marijuana. It would also reschedule marijuana to Schedule 2.

Many thanks to California representatives Sam Farr, Lynn Woolsey, Dana Rohrabacher, Mike Thompson, George Miller, and Pete Stark for co-sponsoring HR 2835.…

29 Medical Marijuana Hardship Hearings Set for Monday, June 29th

The Los Angeles Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee will be holding a special meeting next Monday June 29, 2009 to hear 29 medical marijuana hardship exemption applications. Read more.
When: Monday June 29, 2009
Time: 8:30 AM
Location: Los Angeles City Hall
200 N Spring Street, Room 1060
Los Angeles, Ca

On June 22, Los Angeles’s mayor signed off on the revised Interim Control Ordinance (ICO) regulating medical marijuana collectives in Los Angeles.…