Pubdate: Fri, 05 Jun 2015
Source: Porterville Recorder (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Associated Press
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/AJm5UIc8
Website: http://www.recorderonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2887
Author: Don Thompson, Associated Press

STATE TAKES FIRST STEP TO REGULATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

SACRAMENTO (AP) - California took the first step Thursday to regulate 
its nearly 20-year-old medical marijuana industry, one that lawmakers 
said currently resembles something out of the "wild, wild West."

Lawmakers in the Senate and Assembly passed separate bills attempting 
to set up state regulations that will pass muster with the federal 
Department of Justice. The bills were among dozens of pieces of 
legislation advancing through the Legislature Thursday as lawmakers 
faced a Friday deadline to move bills out of their house of origin.

After a heated discussion, the California Senate advanced a 
right-to-die bill that would allow terminally ill patients to end 
their lives under doctor's care. The state Senate passed the measure 
23-14, sending it to the Assembly, amid a national conversation on 
the issue that sparked efforts to do the same in 24 other states.

On marijuana, AB266 would create the Office of Marijuana Regulation 
within the governor's office, with help from the departments of 
Public Health and Food and Agriculture and the Board of Equalization, 
which would collect licensing fees. Local governments could still 
license or reject commercial cannabis operations. The bill calls for 
involvement from other state agencies, including criminal background 
checks by the state Department of Justice and wastewater standards by 
the State Water Resources Control Board.

It largely leaves it to those offices and agencies to develop 
standards, licensing and regulations.

"There was a reference to the wild West, and that is what this bill 
is trying to move away from," said Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-alameda. 
"I think that we can all agree that stronger regulation is needed ... 
and is long overdue."

California was the first state, in 1996, to legalize the sale of 
marijuana for medical use, but has since fallen behind the rest of 
the nation, said Assemblyman Reginald Jones-sawyer, D-los Angeles. 
Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska have recently legalized 
recreational pot use to varying degrees.

The bill was sent to the Senate on a 50-5 vote, though supporters 
said they will keep working on the measure this year.

It won support from Assemblyman Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, who spent 28 
years as a California Highway Patrol officer and said the measure 
will help "to tighten up some of the abuses that currently exist."

But it was opposed by Assemblyman Jim Cooper, D-elk Grove, a member 
of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department for 30 years. He said 
the bill doesn't do enough to regulate marijuana-impaired drivers and 
keep pot-infused candy and other goodies from children, though Bonta 
said both will be more highly regulated than they are now.

"It's the wild, wild West," Cooper said. "I think we're heading in 
the wrong direction."

The Senate approved a separate medical marijuana bill that would be 
friendlier to growers along the North Coast by leaving most of the 
enforcement at the local level.

The Senate passed SB643 by Sen. Mike Mcguire, D-healdsburg, on a 
25-12 vote. Lawmakers on Thursday also approved:

AB768 by Assemblyman Tony Thurmond, DRichmond, which bans the use of 
chewing tobacco at California ballparks. It cleared the Assembly 42-25.

SB406 by Sen. Hannah-beth Jackson, D-santa Barbara, which expands job 
protections for those who qualify for paid family leave to care for 
relatives. The Senate approved the bill 21-16.

AB1317 by Assemblyman Rudy Salas, D-BAkersfield, which would prohibit 
the University of California from increasing executive pay within two 
years of a tuition increase. It passed the Assembly 62-0.

SB248 by Sen. Fran Pavley, D-agoura Hills, would require regulators 
to increase oversight of the oil industry's disposal of wastewater 
into underground aquifers. It passed the Senate 22-18.

AB1102 by Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, DLos Angeles, which adds 
pregnancy to the list of so-called life-qualifying events allowing 
women to buy health insurance outside the regular open enrollment 
period. It passed the Assembly 59-8.

AB215 by Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-watsonville, limiting compensation 
for school superintendents who are terminated to 12 months' pay. It 
passed the Assembly 66-1.

AB787 by Assemblyman Roger Hernandez, D-west Covina, prohibiting 
for-profit corporations from operating charter schools in California. 
It passed the Assembly 42-25.

Two measures intended to provide low-wage workers more consistent 
schedules and offer extra pay for working on Thanksgiving did not 
advance Thursday.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom