Schwarzenegger Open to Debate on Legalization

May 5 – Asked today about a recent Field Poll showing that 56 percent of registered voters support legalizing and taxing marijuana in California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said “Well, I think it’s not time for that, but I think it’s time for a debate.” “I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues, I’m …

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10-Year Medical Marijuana Sentence Upheld

May 3, 2009 – In an unpublished opinion, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirmed the 10-year mandatory minimum sentence of Bryan Epis on charges of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana. Epis’ attorney, Brenda Grantland, says she will appeal for an en banc rehearing of the ruling by the full Ninth Circuit. …

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CA Field Poll: 56% Support Legalizing Marijuana

April 30, 2009 – A new poll by Mervin Field, the state’s premier political pollster, finds that 56% of Californians support legalizing marijuana. This confirms the findings of the recent Evans-McDonough poll sponsored by Oaksterdam University and the Zogby poll by NORML et al. Public opinion has swung to legalization here in California. – Dale …

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DOJ to Charles Lynch: Business as Usual

The US Dept of Justice has made a mockery of AG Eric Holder’s policy of supposedly respecting state medical marijuana laws in the case of Charles C. Lynch, whose sentencing has been delayed until June 11. “The Office of the Deputy Attorney General has reviewed the facts of this case and determined that the investigation, …

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SF DEA RAID RAISES DOUBTS ABOUT OBAMA POLICY ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

March 26, 2009 – Yesterday’s DEA raid on a San Francisco medical cannabis club is a wake-up slap to everyone who was hoping for the best from Attorney General Holder’s promise to end DEA raids. Not surprisingly, DEA agents are claiming that the club in question, Emmalyn’s, was in violation of state law. However, Emmalyn’s …

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AB390 Hearings Set for 2010 Session

March 23, 2009 – Hearings for the landmark legalization bill AB 390 by Tom Ammiano have been set for the next session of the California Assembly (Dec – Jan) so as to provide time for building support. Thanks to the over 4,000 Californians who have already sent emails to their legislators about the bill through …

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Rep. Loretta Sanchez on Legalizing Marijuana in California

Speaking live on CNN, Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-47) cited the west coast’s majority support for regulating cannabis like alcohol – as acknowledged by NORML’s recent Zogby poll – and called for a statewide “pilot program” to objectively assess the impact of cannabis legalization upon adult society. “Well, certainly, I have seen in my own state …

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Attorney General Holder Says Medical Marijuana Raids Will End

February 25, 2009 – Speaking at a press conference with DEA administrator Michelle Leonhart, Attorney General Eric Holder declared that ending medical marijuana raids “is now American policy.” A reporter asked, “shortly after the inauguration there were raids on California medical marijuana dispensaries…do you expect these to continue?”, noting that the President had promised to …

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Ammiano Bill to Tax and Regulate Marijuana Would Raise Over $1 Billion for State

Contact: Dale Gieringer, Director, Cal NORML (415) 563-5858 WRITE TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES IN SUPPORT OF AB390 San Francisco, February 23, 2009 – At a press conference today, Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-SF) announced the introduction of AB390, The Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act, a landmark bill to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol and tobacco. …

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