Editor's Note: Hezekiah Allen, executive director of the Emerald Growers Association, which represents the interests of many of the state's cannabis cultivators, wrote Friday in an email letter to constituents that the most recent changes to proposed legislation to regulate California's medical cannabis market are positive.
Here is an excerpt from his letter:
"Three words sum up the policy progress made this week in Sacramento: 'Elegant refinement,' and 'monumental.' These words are inspired by new proposed legislation being hammered out in Sacramento. Not a bad place to be with just one week left in the legislative session. ... The state legislature has done a phenomenal job for 9 months. ... The policy being developed represents one of California's most significant public policy breakthroughs of the 21st century.
"The legislation will create nine business-licensing categories and gives farmers until January 1, 2018, to establish their categories and become compliant under state regulations. The categories cover cultivation technique and farm size.
"The legislative proposal creates a new regulatory bureau within the Department of Consumer Affairs to regulate retail distribution of our product. Oversight of cultivation and testing will become the responsibilities of the Food and Agriculture and Public Health departments, respectively."
Allen also encourages industry constituents to support the legislation. "Tell the state legislature to enact medical cannabis regulations in 2015! Sign on here!" he wrote.
SACRAMENTO -- State lawmakers return to work Tuesday with more than 300 bills awaiting their action in the final four days of this year’s regular session.
The governor has called concurrent special sessions on healthcare and transportation that could go beyond Friday. But legislative leaders have said they want to wrap up action this week.
Outstanding issues include regulation of medical marijuana and electronic cigarettes, slashing gas use in the state and allowing physicians to prescribe life-ending drugs to terminally ill Californians.
The aid-in-dying bill is expected to come up for an Assembly floor vote as early as Tuesday, but after that it would still have to go through the Senate committee process and a floor vote in that house if it is to be sent to the governor.
