Forget all the unpleasant experiences of the previous year and look forward to the happy things in store for you. The New Year is the perfect time to unfold new horizons. Rediscover the strength and courage that lies within you and continue to move forward. With growing uncertainty on the federal level we need to play a bit of defense to protect existing legalization laws in CA and other states. We may have a tough road ahead with respect to the federal government, which translates to what you do locally and with your state lawmakers.
It is personal for too many of us. Make it just as personal for the state legislatures, who are beginning new sessions this week all across the country. Share why it is important for your family and make a phone call or send a quick note to your state legislators. We are hopeful that one or more states will join California in ending cannabis prohibition. The eight states that have already ended marijuana prohibition are reducing unnecessary arrests, creating jobs and generating tax revenue.
Genuine success comes only to those who are ready for it. So never step back and always have courage to accept new challenges. The entire OU team is wishing all of you a very happy and productive new year 2017.
Here are the cannabis and medical cannabis bills so far in 2017. Expect new bills and amendments soon:
AB 6 – Driving under the influence: drug testing.
Assembly Member Tom Lackey (D-Palmdale)
This bill would authorize an officer to use a preliminary oral fluid screening test that indicates the presence or concentration of a drug or controlled substance as a further investigatory tool in order to establish reasonable cause to believe the person was driving a vehicle in violation of certain prohibitions against driving under the influence of drugs.
AB 64 – Cannabis: medical and nonmedical: regulation and advertising.
Assembly Member Rob Bonta (D-Oakland)
In its current form, this bill will clarify that medical cannabis licensees can operate in a nonprofit or for-profit manner, requires for-profit cooperatives and collective to have a CA Seller’s Permit, specifically allows medical and adult use retail licensees to operate non-storefront (delivery) businesses, restricts advertising for medical and adult use licensees and loans the CHP $3 million to research cannabis and DUID.
AB 76- Adult-use marijuana: marketing.
Assembly Member Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park)
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to introduce legislation relating to the prohibition of the marketing of adult-use marijuana to children.
SB 65 – Vehicles: alcohol and marijuana: penalties.
Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo)
The bill would make driving or operating a vehicle, boat, vessel, or aircraft while drinking any alcoholic beverage or smoking or ingesting cannabis or cannabis products an offense punishable as an infraction or a misdemeanor. It is currently just an infraction to drink any alcoholic beverage while driving or operating a vehicle, boat, vessel, or aircraft. The bill would authorize a court to order a defendant to attend drug or alcohol education and counseling classes in addition to those penalties.
Tell the DEA to tell the truth about cannabis. Sign the Petition!
Dale Sky Jones
Oaksterdam University
Executive Chancellor
