California marijuana lawyers

March 7, 2017

Measure M Wins L.A. Marijuana Licensing in Election

Measure M, a bill proposed by the City of Los Angeles that gives council the authority to regulate the local recreational and medical marijuana industries was overwhelmingly approved recently. marijuana bud

Measure M won over big in comparison to the votes garnered for another, Measure N, which was placed onto the ballot by a marijuana trade group that later swung its support behind the city’s proposal.

The bills were placed on the ballot in response to the November results in the state election that legalized marijuana for recreational purposes, beginning next year. Measure M gives the city the authority to repeal the current ban on medical marijuana dispensaries (Proposition D, passed in 2013), and replace it with updated rules that will regulate the varying kinds of marijuana businesses in Los Angeles. Additionally, the measure grants city leaders the power to enforce these rules, including imposition of fines, criminal penalties and loss of utilities like water and power for companies that flout city rules or try to operate unlicensed. Continue reading

February 4, 2017

Report: Marijuana Legalization in Colorado Making Pot Cheaper for Consumers

By Cannabis Law Group

Marijuana consumers and rights activists have praised Colorado for its role as one of the first states in the nation to legalize marijuana for recreation. The move was touted as not only good for consumers, but also for states hoping to cash in on the tax dollars.

However, it seems that legalization may not be bringing in as much tax revenue as expected – and that’s because the increased availability has driven down costs. Vox.com reports new data from the Colorado Department of Revenue shows that the wholesale price of cannabis has fallen 22 percent since recreational sales first started three years ago. It’s now at about $1,470 from $1,880. That’s a stark change from what we saw immediately after legalization, when prices soared to $2,865 per pound when there was a short supply and high demand. Prior to legalization, the wholesale price of marijuana could reach as high as $5,000 per pound.

Speculation is that these prices aren’t done falling. Drug policy experts say once mass production really kicks into high gear, the price per pound could reach somewhere between $30 or $45. That’s because even in Colorado, there has to be some consideration of the fact that the drug is still illegal for recreational purposes in most other places in the country. This drives marijuana tourism in Colorado, which will likely drop off if and when the drug becomes more readily available in other states. Continue reading

January 24, 2017

Local Leaders Ask Feds to Ease Marijuana Banking Rules

By Cannabis Law Group

Leaders in California and Massachusetts are asking the federal government to ease up on rules that keep banks from doing business with those in the marijuana industry. bank money

Specifically, California’s state Treasurer John Chiang formulated a group of 16 bankers, marijuana industry leaders and elected officials to define the problem as it relates to banking and work on hammering out some type of solution. Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) penned a correspondence with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, asking for rules and guidance for banks and dealing with cannabis businesses.

The majority of banks, financial institutions and credit unions won’t work with the cannabis industry – even those who work in businesses that are ancillary to the industry, such as product testers or product suppliers. Growers and distributors function almost entirely on cash-based models. Meanwhile, California’s first recreational marijuana businesses are slated to open sometime in 2018, per the recently-approved Proposition 64, which legalized marijuana use for and distribution to adults over the age of 21. The state now has one year to work out some kind of banking services model that is going to be workable in the legal framework. The big issue, of course, is the federal law that outlaws marijuana for any purpose. It doesn’t appear federal officials are likely to budge on this issue anytime soon, as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has steadfastly refused to reclassify marijuana from its Schedule I status – maintaining it in the same danger class as heroin. Continue reading

December 31, 2016

Has Your Cannabis Dispensary Staff Received Adequate Training?

By Cannabis Law Group

Some locations call them, “budtenders.” Others refer to them as “patient liaisons” or “compassion care technicians” or “dispensary agents.” Although there is no single formal title or degree, these individuals are responsible for working behind the counters of California’s marijuana dispensaries. class

Our L.A. marijuana dispensary attorneys are often asked about the required training for those in these roles. Although there is no legal requirement or state-approved course that budtenders have to pass, it can be a smart move for a business to seek advanced education for their dispensary workers. A new study published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research revealed 55 percent of dispensary staff (medical and non-medical) had some type of formal training for their position. Twenty percent had some form of medical or scientific training. Meanwhile, approximately 94 percent reported they provide specific cannabis advice to patients. Many of these patients are seeking advice on specific strains that can help them with a variety of ailments, form post-traumatic stress disorder to chronic pain to seizures. It helps if the staff knows what they are selling, not just from a customer service standpoint but potentially from a liability standpoint.

California was the first state to allow medicinal marijuana and recently joined a growing number of states that now allow recreational marijuana (though detailed regulations are still being ironed out). On Jan. 1st, 2018, a bill signed by Gov. Jerry Brown will go into effect that has a number of requirements that could make training even more valuable. Among those requirements include tracing requirements, record-keeping, streamlined systems for transportation, quality assurance testing standards and robust labeling/ packaging/ product handling and security. Continue reading

November 14, 2016

Economy of Cannabis: Buying vs. Growing

By Cannabis Law Group

Marijuana is likely only going to increase in price. The question for many becomes: Should I grow it myself or buy it in a dispensary? cannabis

There are pros and cons to each, of course. Understanding what those are can help you make an informed decision.

Traditionally, cannabis has been produced on a small scale for purposes of flying under the radar of law enforcement. That means a lot of people have some knowledge of how to grow the plant. However, with a burgeoning legal market, people now (or will soon) have the option of choosing an array of products with specific chemical make-up and purpose – similar to what we would find in a grocery store produce aisle. And just like grocery stores, marijuana dispensaries are going to receive their supply cultivated from farmers who carefully produce the product and make it available for a reasonable price. Continue reading

November 9, 2016

Why Prohibition – Marijuana or Otherwise – Never Works

By Cannabis Law Group

The Eighteenth Amendment in the U.S. was coined, “the noble experiment” because the goals were lofty. The purpose of the amendment, enacted in 1920 and spanning all the way through 1933, was to eradicate crime and corruption, solve social problems, reduce the prison and “poorhouse” induced tax burdens and bolster health and hygiene in the U.S. As we now know, it failed miserably on all accounts. bar

We can take into account these same lessons with regard to our “War on Drugs” and specifically marijuana prohibition. Alcohol prohibition did initially result in a decline of alcohol consumption. But later, there was an uptick. The alcohol that was available was more dangerous. The crime became “organized” and gave rise to the power and wealth of mobsters. Otherwise ordinary citizens became criminals and our courts and prisons became overwhelmed. There were no marked gains in workplace productivity or reduction in absenteeism. It also removed a substantial tax revenue source, and led users in many cases to turn to more dangerous substances, such as cocaine, opium or prescription drugs.

Sound familiar? Continue reading

September 29, 2016

Poll: Most California Voters Back Legal Weed

By Cannabis Law Group

It’s been six years since a law that would have legalized recreational marijuana was shot down. It’s also almost a month until California voters consider it once again. There is strong evidence to suggest this time, the outcome will be different. That’s because if polls are to be believed, voter attitudes are significantly different. votehere

A new USC Dornsife/ Los Angeles Times poll reveals that California voter support for Proposition 64, the measure that would legalize recreational marijuana for personal use in this state, is at nearly 60 percent. What’s especially interesting is that support stretches across lines of race, gender, ethnicity and income. Even those from the two warring political parties generally agree on this issue.

The law would grant over-21 Californians the right to buy, keep and use a maximum of 1 ounce of cannabis for recreational purposes. It would also allow a person to grow up to six cannabis plants. The law would also require a 15 percent retail tax on the substance. Of the nearly 1,900 respondents, only a third said they outright would refuse to support the ballot measure if the election were today. Another 8 percent said they had no opinion one way or the other. Continue reading

July 17, 2016

Official: California Voters to Decide on Recreational Pot

By Cannabis Law Group

A popular initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana in California is now officially on the November ballot. voterinformation

The measure had to garner a minimum of 600,000 valid voter signatures to qualify for consideration. A random sampling of those signatures by the state election’s office proved there were enough, numerous outlets reported.

A spokesperson for the initiative, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, said the approval marks the start of a step away from the expensive, harmful and ultimately ineffective prohibition on the responsible, legal use of adult marijuana use. Continue reading

May 29, 2016

Los Angeles City Council Considers Expanding Marijuana Industry Through Legislation

By Cannabis Law Group

In the City of Los Angeles, there has been a mixed history in terms of government support for medical marijuana. Since the state of California approved medical marijuana through a 1996 law, there have been efforts to allow for patients to use medical marijuana in the city and to allow for dispensaries, as well as large scale crackdown on what city officials deemed to be illegal dispensaries.

voting There were also various changes to the medical marijuana laws when Proposition D was passed into law in 2013, and this resulted in the closure of over 700 dispensaries within city limits, as well as the shutting down of two major mobile dispensary services in which medical marijuana patients could order marijuana on their smartphones and have it delivered to their homes or places of business. Continue reading

May 27, 2016

Gourmet Medical Marijuana Edibles

By Cannabis Law Group

When people think of marijuana edibles, things like pot brownies are likely to come to mind. Today, however, there are many more marijuana menu choices, according to a recent news feature from The Washington Post. Some of these new creative offerings include things like marijuana-infused crab cakes, and other more upscale food items.

gourmet-hamburger-1318497 In the District of Columbia, recreational marijuana is legal to use and buy, but thanks to a congressional amendment to a recent budget measure, is illegal to sell. This was allowed to happen because Congress has much more control over the federal district than it does over a state despite a decades old decision to all for home rule in the city. As a result of it being illegal to sell marijuana, it is also illegal to hold what Congress calls a marijuana party or event. This makes things a bit complicated for those trying to get into the marijuana industry, but there are some ways around the prohibition. Continue reading