Kharla Vezzetti by Ellen Komp, CalNORML Deputy Director UPDATE 3/22/2015 – This article is speculative, and meant to start a conversation, which certainly has happened. I wrote it after encountering someone buying lighter fluid in bulk to make concentrates, and some quick research uncovered it was a growing trend that obviously wasn’t going away. Manufacturers in legal …
February 4, 2014 – By a vote of 5-0, the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors voted to table an ordinance that would have banned medical marijuana dispensaries and outdoor cultivation today. The board acted on the recommendation of the planning commission, which voted 6-1 to scrap their own plan after nearly 100 citizens showed up …
January 26, 2014 – As the popularity of cannabis e-cigs and vaporizers has taken off, California NORML has been busy fighting bills to ban e-cigs in non-smoking areas. These bans are especially harmful to the many seriously ill patients who cannot legally smoke medical cannabis indoors due to the state’s stringent anti-smoking laws, some of …
Cal NORML News Alert Jan 24, 2014 Cal NORML comment: The question remains whether California’s cannabis collectives will be recognized by the US Dept of Treasury as “state-sanctioned” for banking purposes. The DOJ has previously dismissed such claims when prosecuting cannabis providers in California. The surest way to guarantee federal recognition for CA’s medical cannabis …
UPDATE 1/15/2014: In an unpublished opinion, a three-judge panel of the Court upheld the lower court ruling. It may be appealed to the full panel of judges. UPDATE 1/6/2014: The 9th Circuit has cancelled its Jan 13th oral arguments on whether citizens have a fundamental right to use medical marijuana. The case will be settled …
Cal NORML News Alert January 2, 2014 – Los Angeles Judge Hammock has upheld the city’s medical marijuana ordinance Proposition D. LA-area collectives should expect that the city will proceed to enforce the ordinance. In other LA news, the police department has begun to deploy oral saliva swabs for DUI checks. Oral swabs typically detect …
UPDATE January 19 – Fresno County activists are organizing a referendum to repeal the county’s new ordinance banning cultivation. They have until Feb 7th to submit signatures to the county. For information, see FresnoCannabis.org or call 559-270-1411 January 7, 2014 – The Fresno County Board of Supervisors Supervisors has voted 5-0 to ban ALL medical …
UPDATE: 3/27/2014 – The California Supreme Court refused to hear the case, so the appellate court ruling stands. Read more. January 3, 2014 – In a lawsuit supported by California NORML, attorney Joe Elford is filing a petition today asking the State Supreme Court to review a recent Third District Appellate Court decision, James Maral …
UPDATE 12/17 – BOTH HEARINGS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL JANUARY. STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. December 12, 2013 – The Alameda County Board of Supervisors will be considering an ordinance regarding restrictions to electronic smoking devices (vaporizers) in unincorporated Alameda County at its meeting on Tuesday, December 17. The Los Angeles City Council will also …
UPDATE March 2014 – The CA Supreme Court denied review of the Maral v Live Oak appellate decision. UPDATE January 3, 2014 – A brief was filed today. December 11, 2013 – In an action supported by California NORML, medical marijuana patient James Maral will file a petition with the California Supreme Court to review …