SoCal Medical Marijuana Raid Update
February 13th, 2009 by Perry
More than a week after a string of federal dispensary raids in Los Angeles and San Diego, the MMJ community is still concerned about Obama’s federal pledge to not interfere with state marijuana laws. More specifically, that he hasn’t exactly lived up to it so far.
The Americans for Safe Access recently held a meeting in San Diego where they addressed the crowd with some fairly promising news: In response to flooding the White House switchboard, a representative contacted the ASA, and publicly addressed the issue.
The raids were a part of “Operation: Endless Summer,” an aptly named effort to eradicate drug dealing near several different communities, which also seized six pounds of marijuana from legal dispensaries.
San Diego vs MMJ Laws: Supreme Court Round
January 20th, 2009 by Alex
After getting a smackdown from the California Supreme Court, San Diegan legislators, led by Bill Horn (R-San Diego) from North County, are seeking to overturn state medical marijuana law by appealing to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).
County officials sued the state in 2006, and after they lost, an appellate court refused to hear the case. Most people would stop at that point, but San Diego is being stubborn as all hell.
Horn said plans are, “To take it as far as we can and get a definitive answer,” since the state’s highest court was apparently not clear enough with their definitive answer of ‘No’ to the county’s lawsuit.
Luckily for us, the Supreme Court doesn’t just take any case thrown its way. A lawyer representing San Diego said the court would probably decide by June whether it would hear the case. Let’s hope SCOTUS tells San Diego to quit the shenanigans.
San Bernardino Faces Lawsuits Over MMJ Cards
January 7th, 2009 by Perry
San Bernardino County, CA is being sued over its refusal to issue medical marijuana cards.
An activist is suing the county for its failure to comply with Prop. 215, which mandates cards for medical marijuana patients and created the dispensary system that operates in most counties where local legislators have not made it illegal.
San Diego also refused, and recently lost a decision in appellate court regarding its card policy. San Bernardino deputies have been told to arrest those found with marijuana regardless of whether they have cards.
Sacramento County to Install Medical ID Card Program
December 18th, 2008 by Perry
With California Supreme Court’s recent decision not to review San Diego County official’s lawsuit regarding medical marijuana cards, several counties which had been dragging proverbial feet to abide by California Senate Bill 420, are now hurrying to comply or face pending litigation.
The bill, which lays out basic guidelines for medical marijuana implementation, had been challenged by San Diego county, and several other counties waited to see what the outcome would before forcing the issue on implementation.
Following San Diego county’s loss in appellate court and the Supreme Court’s decision, those who took the wait-and-see approach like Ventura County eventually began adopting these programs.
Ventura County, CA Creates MMJ Card
December 15th, 2008 by Perry
Waiting to see the results of several lawsuits against local governments, namely the San Diego case, Ventura County, CA is now installing a medical marijuana program.
The biggest benefit of the program is that patients now have something from their local government to prove to law enforcement that they are enrolled in a medical marijuana program. Users who do not have programs authorized by their county must use whatever has been issued by their doctor, which doesn’t always fly with law enforcement officials.
California Supreme Court Backs MMJ
October 17th, 2008 by Perry
In a resounding victory for medical marijuana activists, the state supreme court of California recently denied a request to hear the county’s attempt to repeal MMJ laws. The San Diego Union-Tribune says the decision is “an affirmation of the legitimacy of state medical marijuana laws,” according to Adam Wolf of the American Civil Liberties Union.
The ACLU actually worked in conjunction with Attorney General Jerry Brown’s office to fight the case against the county, which has spent about a year or so in court due to the county’s appeal efforts. The lawsuit filed by San Diego, San Bernardino and Merced County in 2006 was tossed out by two lower courts. The state Supreme Court’s refusal to consider the case Thursday ends the matter, which means it’s time to use the gas lamps to spark up some doobies.
By the way, earth to San Diego: you’re like 10 minutes from Tijuana, Mexico. I wouldn’t worry so much about a little medical marijuana… probably not their biggest concern.
MPP on 17 Year Olds Busted for MMJ
March 22nd, 2007 by AlexThere was a story that broke in San Diego a few weeks ago talking about how high school students were able to acquire medical marijuana licenses.
These students applied their new-found freedom by buying pot, getting blazed at school and then using the license as an excuse after being busted. Not that bright, I agree.
Well, Fox News decided to bring Aaron Houston, Director of Government Relations for the Marijuana Policy Project, onto the TV to explain the MPP’s position on all of this.
First things first, Aaron is not a doctor. Also, Aaron is not a school administrator. These are two facts he makes extremely clear as the video progresses.
I think that Aaron was trying to get a good message across, but fell a little short with his overall television persona feeling somewhat contrived.
