Pubdate: Fri, 01 Sep 2017
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2017 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Patrick McGreevy

TEN BILLS REGULATING POT IN CALIFORNIA ARE SIDELINED FOR THE YEAR
AS STATE BUREAU WORKS TO FINALIZE ITS OWN RULES

Ten bills aimed at regulating marijuana were shelved Friday by state
lawmakers, giving California's new Bureau of Cannabis Control time to
finish its own rules before lawmakers pile on with additional
restrictions.

The bills held by the Senate Appropriations Committee without comment
would have further regulated where pot can be used, how marijuana is
marketed, the trademarking of products and would have required the
state to produce a consumer guide.

The actions come as the state Bureau of Cannabis Control is preparing
to begin issuing licenses and regulations for the growth, transport
and sale of marijuana for medical and recreational use starting Jan.
2.

Many of the bills sidelined Friday duplicate or provide additional
detail for tasks already undertaken by the bureau.

The consumer guide, which would have told Californians where they can
buy marijuana and what the rules are for using it, includes
information the bureau has already begun posting on its website.

One of the bills shelved, AB 1090, would have prohibited the
possession, smoking or ingesting of cannabis on the grounds of a
school, day care center or youth center at any time.

Analysts for the committee noted in a report that it is already
illegal to possess or use cannabis in such places when children are
present.

"Current law generally prohibits smoking on school grounds and at day
care centers, at all times," the analysis said. "Because current law
prohibits smoking cannabis in any public place and where smoking
tobacco is prohibited, this would include schools and youth centers."

Another bill shelved, AB 76, would have prohibited the operator of a
website from marketing marijuana products to people younger than 21.
State law already bars the marketing of marijuana to minors, without
specifying the venue.

The state has already allocated money to create a California Cannabis
Research Program to look at issues including the impact of marijuana
on motor skills. The committee balked Friday at expanding the studies
to look at synthetic compounds, and to allow the state to grow and
study its own marijuana after state finance officials said the changes
would cost California $3 million.

"Legislative leaders are working with the administration on a budget
trailer bill to resolve cannabis-related issues. It makes sense to
take a comprehensive approach," said Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell
Gardens), chairman of the committee.
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