Nielsen pushes marijuana marketing bill
Inspired by studies out of Colorado suggesting more children have been exposed to marijuana following the state’s legalization of recreational marijuana, area state Sen. Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) proposed a bill he hopes will prevent California youth from consuming marijuana products.
Senate Bill 663 has passed in the Assembly Business and Professions Committee. The bill will enforce regulations to prevent marijuana companies from using marketing strategies geared toward children.
“Young children are susceptible to commercials and advertisements, especially those with cartoon characters,” Nielsen said. “Marijuana has detrimental effects on children especially toddlers who are most at risk to its exposure with edibles like brownies, cookies and candies.”
Some of the measures included in the bill will prevent companies from packaging edible marijuana products in wrapping that looks similar to popular snack and drink brands. The bill would also prohibit cannabis companies from using cartoon characters and other images or wording geared toward youth.
The bill is currently on the Assembly floor waiting for a final vote.
Garamendi and veterans It seems retired veterans had reason to worry over their retirement packages.
Congressman John Garamendi, along with 60 of his colleagues, wrote a letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, David Shulkin, asking him not to cut funding for the individual unemployment benefits for retired veterans. On July 6, the congressman announced Shulkin’s decision to keep the program.
“I’m incredibly relieved that Secretary Shulkin has reconsidered his decision to cut much-needed benefits for our nation’s veterans,” Garamendi (D-Fairfield) said. “Our men and women in uniform take enormous risks in defending our nation, and all too often they pay a great price for that sacrifice. They deserve the utmost respect and support when returning to civilian life, and as a Member of Congress, it is my responsibility to ensure the federal support our veterans have earned is protected from draconian cuts.”
Garamendi’s office estimates 225,000 veterans rely on the program after retirement. Originally, the secretary planned to eliminate the benefit program altogether as a strategy to balance the Veterans Affairs budget; but he changed his mind after hearing arguments from Garamendi and other legislators.
“I’m incredibly proud to have worked with a bipartisan group of my colleagues to engage Secretary Shulkin on this subject, and I deeply respect Secretary Shulkin’s willingness to hear our argument and change his mind on this critically important matter,” Garamendi said. Congressmen address ‘GROW’ Act Two local congressmen have very different opinions on the “GROW” Act – a bill that regards water supply management implementations. House Resolution 23 passed in Congress with a 230-190 vote.
Congressman John Garamendi (DFairfield) opposes the bill because he believes it interferes with California’s water laws by allowing unmonitored pumping of the Delta’s water. He also said there’s already legislation in place addressing the issue.
“We have legislative amnesia,” Garamendi said. “Just seven months ago, Senator Feinstein and Majority Leader McCarthy passed the bipartisan WIIN Act, a piece of legislation that actually expands California’s water supplies and uses a sciencebased approach to increase pumping levels while maintaining critical species protections. It also funds water supply infrastructure improvements. But HR 23 contains the same radical provisions that have repeatedly died in Congress over the last five years. Why recycle a partisan bill that overrides California water law and allows for nearly unrestricted pumping that risks permanent damage to Delta communities and wildlife? Instead of bringing back zombie legislation over and over again, it’s time to focus on implementing the WIIN Act, which will create new water, build infrastructure, and improve California’s drought resilience.”
Congressman Doug LaMalfa (RRichvale) supports the bill because he feels it will improve the state’s water supply management, especially in cases of drought. The bill appoints the Bureau of Reclamation as the primary agency for approving any proposed water storage projects; LaMalfa said it will make it easier for California to repair and build more of these structures.
“In recent years, lack of rain combined with poor planning for future water infrastructure has caused California to experience severe droughts that have devastated agriculture, habitat, and the economy in general,” LaMalfa said. “That same lack of infrastructure has prevented us from storing enough water during a rainy season, like we’ve seen this year, to prevent flooding and save for the future. There are many potential water projects around the state that could have helped remedy this problem, but they have been trapped in bureaucratic limbo for many years, even decades. This bill would require the federal government to expedite the process of approving and completing water projects. Importantly, this legislation will also include protections for NorCal water rights and restore availability of water supply for California agriculture.” Accounts Receivable......... Display Fax....................... Toll Free.................