For the cops, the drug war begins and ends with money for enforcement. Whenever you hear a law enforcement officer talk about the "evil" marijuana, their point of view is fueled by the money they get. As reported:
Humboldt county officials have said that federal money for marijuana eradication is of value to the community and the enforcement it buys will continue to be necessary even if marijuana is legalized.
At its April 20 meeting, the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to accept a $170,000 grant from the federal Drug Enforcement Agency to help pay for the county’s marijuana law enforcement efforts. The grant covers a year that will include a statewide vote on whether to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana.
Sheriff Gary Philp said that if the marijuana legalization measure passes this November, police agencies will still have a role. And he likened legalization to the current situation with medical marijuana.
“(The measure) is very specific, that it will be up to the counties and cities to define what the laws are,” Philp said. “That kind of puts us in the position we’re at right here today – although it could become legalized, it would have limitations on its use.”
To law enforcement, the drug war is about money. In November vote, because it is your money and rights that they want.Tehama Approves Pot Garden Fee
Tehama County Supervisors Tuesday approved a $40 registration fee required for medical marijuana gardens.
Unfortunately for Tehama, if this is challenged, it will not hold up in court. Tehama has no authority to modify a voter approved amendment and there is no provision in Prop 215 to allow a county to require a permit to cultivate.
In November Tehama County can support the Tax Cannabis Act 2010 - If approved, that amendment will allow us to put the Marijuana industry to work for our stressed county coffers.
Cash Crop: The Golden State Gone Green
All the chatter today is about the upcoming release of Cash Crop: The Golden State Gone Green, by film producer-director Adam Ross of Sierra Films. This full length feature documentary takes a close up look at the worlds 6th largest economy, California, and our largest cash crop - Marijuana. This film takes you on the road from the Mexican border to the Emerald Triangle and the Green Queen Mendocino County. A remarkable state wide enterprise at 35 Billion dollars strong.
This movie is definitely promising to be the feel good movie of the year and begs the question, wasteful prohibition or can we harness this crop?
Berkeley looking to Tax Medical Marijuana
It looks like Berkeley is joining Sacramento in seeking to tax the booming medical marijuana industry. This speaks volumes towards the Tax Cannabis 2010 act. While some contend that you cannot tax the marijuana industry, locality after locality, using sensible regulations are doing exactly that. A press release from the Berkeley City Council states in part:
The council will (vote) on whether to approve language for a ballot measure for Nov. 2010 to amend the Business License Tax Ordinance to tax certain medical cannabis uses.
City Attorney Zach Cowan has suggested that one way to balance the city's current deficit is to increase the business tax on medical cannabis dispensaries from 1.12 percent to 1.8 percent, which is expected to bring in $330,000 in 2011.
D.C. finally to join the 14 other Medical Marijuana states
It has been a long road for Washington D.C. It took 10 years for the U.S. Congress to approve a referendum overwhemingly supported. Tuesday, following a green light from the feds, Washington D.C.'s City Council approved Medical Marijuana. It now goes to the desk of Mayor Adrian Fenty, where he is expected to sign it into law. A great day!
This is why this needs to be a people's issue you you need to vote!:
While lobbying at the Illinois State Capitol on Monday, supporters of legislation that would legalize the medical use of cannabis in Illinois said they hoped it would be voted on before the week’s end.
Dan Linn, executive director for the Illinois Cannabis Patients Association, was in Springfield on Monday to begin a weeklong effort to gain state legislators’ support for the bill.
Although he was uncertain, Linn – who has been advocating for the legalization of medical cannabis for seven years – said he hoped the House would vote on the bill this week, and was “cautiously optimistic” about the bill’s passage.
The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, as the bill is titled, has been in the Illinois House since May 27 of last year after barely passing through the Senate with a 30 to 28 vote. Almost one year later, the bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Lou Lang, D-16, said he is close to having a majority but does not yet want to put it up for vote in order to prevent the bill from failing.
“I believe I’m a couple of votes short, and I don’t intend to call it for a vote until I think I have those votes,” he said.
Los Angeles city prosecutors began notifying 439 medical marijuana dispensaries Tuesday that they must shut down by June 7, when the city's ordinance to regulate the stores takes effect. It's the first step in what could be a lengthy and expensive legal battle to regain control over pot sales.
The letters, which were sent to both dispensary operators and property owners, warn that violations of the city's laws are a misdemeanor and could lead to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Collectives that stay open after the deadline could also face civil penalties of $2,500 a day.
More at LA Times >>
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