Category: California Marijuana Laws

California Marijuana Laws

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Protection Extended for State Medical Marijuana Programs

US Congress Protects State Marijuana

After a brief government shutdown, protection for state medical marijuana programs was extended again until March 23, 2018.  Congress and the President signed off on a six-week continuing resolution.

The budget resolution extends the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment which prohibits the use of funds to prevent certain States from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.  That language was initially passed by Congress in 2014 as the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment (H.Amdt.748) and is now known as the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment.  This is the eighth time the amendment has been temporarily extended by a continuing resolution from Congress, which hasn’t passed a new federal budget since 2015.

The Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment was supported by a bipartisan group letter to House and Senate leadership from 66 Congress members including Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-California, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon.

Also in support of the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment was a letter from California State Treasurer John Chiang.  Read more about state cannabis law at California Cannabis Law.

Contact us to learn more about California state or local cannabis regulations, cannabis regulatory compliance, and cannabis litigation.

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Los Angeles City Accepting Applications from Existing Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Marijuana Laws

The Los Angeles City Department of Cannabis Regulation has begun accepting applications for Proposition M Priority Processing from Existing Medical Marijuana Dispensaries (EMMD).  Applications for Proposition M Priority Processing will not be accepted or processed after March 4, 2018.

See the Los Angeles City Cannabis Application Instructions for Proposition M.

Proposition M was adopted by the voters of the City of Los Angeles on March 7, 2017.  Pursuant to Los Angeles Proposition M: The City’s designated licensing or permitting agency shall give priority in processing applications of EMMDS that can demonstrate that the EMMD has operated in compliance with the limited immunity and tax provisions of Los Angeles Proposition D.  To avail itself of the terms of this Section, including the priority processing, an EMMD must apply for a City permit or license within sixty calendar days of the first date that applications are made available for commercial cannabis activity.

EMMD Applicants may apply for a maximum of one: Microbusiness License (Type 12); a maximum combination of one Retailer License (Type 10); one delivery for Retailer License (Type 10); one Distributor License – Self Transport Only License (Type 11), one Manufacturer License (Type 6 Only) and one Cultivation, Indoor License (Type 1A, 1C, 2A, or 3A) for the one location identified in its original or amended BTRC and as demonstrated in previous Commercial Cannabis Activity as of March 7, 2017.

The determination by the Los Angeles City Department of Cannabis Regulation of whether an EMMD is eligible for Proposition M Priority Processing will be made with no hearing and will be final and effective if not timely appealed.

To read more about the City of Los Angeles Marijuana Regulations go to – Los Angeles City Cannabis Ordinances.  Read more about state cannabis law at California Cannabis Law.

Contact us to learn more about California state or local cannabis regulations, cannabis regulatory compliance, and cannabis litigation.