Big issues remain on the agenda
California lawmakers are weighing scores of bills in the last days of the legislative session, which ends Wednesday.
California lawmakers are weighing scores of bills in the last days of the legislative session, which ends Wednesday. We’re following the biggest issues of this session, including an effort to further regulate medical marijuana, an attempt to legalize Internet poker and a proposal to make voting easier. Updates on these issues and more can be found at latimes.com/CABillTracker.
More efforts to regulate marijuana
Ahead of a November statewide vote on a proposition to legalize the recreational use of pot, lawmakers have proposed a number of additional regulations on medical marijuana. AB 2243: Would have allowed a pot tax of $9.25 per ounce of marijuana flowers, $2.75 per ounce of pot leaves and $1.25 per ounce of immature pot plants. The revenues would have been earmarked for law enforcement and environmental programs.
AB 2300: Landlords would be able to ban medical marijuana users from smoking in their apartment buildings.
AB 2679: Licensing authorities would be required to report disciplinary actions and complaints to the state’s new Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation. The bill also would authorize new research by the University of California on the effect of marijuana on motor skills.
The latest: The cannabis tax measure was killed Aug. 11, without explanation, after advocates for medical marijuana users said it would put a financial burden on patients. “We generally oppose any excise tax that is going to be passed on to the patient,” said Melissa Wilcox of Americans for Safe Access. Another bill, allowing pot dispensaries to pay state taxes, was approved by the Senate on Aug. 16. The other bills, AB 2300 and AB 2679, still await final action.
Back story: California voters legalized medical use of marijuana in 1996 through Proposition 215. Since then, hundreds of cannabis dispensaries have popped up throughout the state, drawing complaints from neighborhoods that they are bringing in undesirable people and sparking crimes such as the robbery of marijuana handlers. In response, cities and counties have adopted a hodgepodge of regulations to ban or limit pot shops. Last year, lawmakers instituted comprehensive regulations for the growing, transport and sale of medical marijuana. Those rules could also be applied if voters in November approve Proposition 64, a ballot measure that would legalize recreational use.