Berkeley, California becomes 1st sanctuary city for cannabis

Berkeley, California became the first American sanctuary city for cannabis as it fights the Trump Administration’s cannabis crackdown. That means that Berkeley will not cooperate with federal authorities and no city funds will used to assist enforcement of federal cannabis laws. Recreational cannabis became legal in California on January 1st, 2018, and on Jan. 4, anti-cannabis Attorney General […]

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420 Vancouver booth sales start today

Vancouver’s annual 420 cannabis celebration at Sunset Beach is only two months away! With cannabis legalization on the horizon, this is a huge moment for the culture, but at the same time, 420 will continue to be a protest as long as people can still face jail time for cannabis possession. For all the vendors […]

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Seeking Relief for Those with Marijuana Criminal Records

Prop 64, or the Control, Regulate, and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act, does a lot more than the title might suggest. In addition to legalizing marijuana in California (and regulating and taxing), it offers a unique opportunity for the state to make reparations of sort to the people and communities who have suffered the most from the destructive “War on Drugs,” which turned out to be more of a slanderous attack on marijuana and an assault on minorities.

According to ACLU, most drug arrests between 2001-2010 were for marijuana, and a whopping 88% of those were for possession. Worse yet, black people were more than 3 times as likely to be arrested for marijuana-related crimes than white people despite having almost equal rates of use.

San Francisco and San Diego are leading the way in the state toward making amends for past marijuana-related crimes. The city’s district attorneys are proactively reviewing cases on the books and expunging misdemeanors that are no longer crimes, giving those who previously have been punished a clean slate. They also are checking for charges that can be reduced to lesser crimes.

But what about the rest of the state?Statewide, those with previous convictions can petition to have their cases reviewed and charges erased or reduced. Many, such as the district attorney’s offices in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, have cited lack of resources as the reason that they don’t review all cases, according to an article from The Press Democrat. 

While our experienced marijuana criminal defense lawyers in Los Angeles applaud any and all efforts to undo the overly aggressive enforcement of marijuana-related crimes, we also know that a petition system will leave many in the dust, unaware they are eligible for such relief or uninformed about how to apply. These people will lose out on the benefits a revised record can bring, including making it easier to secure work and housing.

Others agree. Legislation has been proposed that if passed would take the efforts in San Francisco and San Diego all over the state, automatically putting all relevant cases up for review. And while resources certainly could be an issue for some areas, there’s no reason more of the state taxes from marijuana sales could not be allocated for this important cause.

Meanwhile, our attorneys can help you assess if your old convictions are eligible for review. We also are here to fight for your rights if you are currently battling criminal charges. Our law firm includes skilled attorneys who focus solely on criminal cases to give you the strongest support possible for your case.

Besides reviewing criminal records, many regions are using resources to make amends in other ways. For example, Oakland and Los Angeles are setting up social equity programs, which offer aide to those applying for marijuana business licenses who have previous cannabis convictions. In addition, those related to someone with a previous conviction would see favor, in an attempt to lift up families. The programs would also favor low-income applicants, particularly those from areas whose economies were deeply effected by widespread cannabis-related arrests.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 714-937-2050.

Additional Resources:

Petitions Required in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties to Clear, Reduce Pot-Related Crimes, Feb. 10. 2018, By Julie Johnson, The Press Democrat

More Blog Entries:

Two California Cities Erasing Misdemeanor Marijuana Convictions, Feb. 9, 2018, Marijuana Criminal Defense Lawyers Blog

from https://www.marijuanalawyerblog.com/2018/02/seeking-relief-marijuana-criminal-records.html

Seeking Relief for Those with Marijuana Criminal Records is available on https://www.mrs-hardy.com

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Expert Joints LIVE!: Mom’s Baked Greens

This week Mom’s Baked Greens on Expert Joints LIVE! Craig welcomes Ajia Mae Moon of Twelve High Chicks magazine and the M.O.M. Cup to the office. They’ll check out this year’s judges kit, while catching up on the second edition of both the M.O.M. Cup, and the Twelve High Chicks magazine. They’ll also be joined […]

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from https://cannabislifenetwork.com/bakedgreens/

Expert Joints LIVE!: Mom’s Baked Greens was originally seen on Mrs-Hardy.com.com

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Federal Budget Protects State Medical Marijuana Businesses, For Now

One of the beacons of hope for medical marijuana businesses during these uncertain times has been Rohrabacher-Blumenauer, an amendment that blocks the Justice Department’s ability to spend money on prosecuting medical marijuana operations that are compliant with their state’s relevant laws.

However, this amendment is not a permanent structure and is put in peril every time the government shuts down and Congress must pass a spending measure. Given the tumultuous nature of the current budget debates at the federal level, this has already happened multiple times this year. Each time Congress goes for a vote, the medical marijuana community must hold its breath and wait to see if the amendment will be included in the next budget parameters. That’s no way to treat respectable business owners.

So far it has survived each round, but with another vote coming up in March, we’re not in the clear just yet, according to Leafly.

For years Congress has been dancing a political tango that has put millions of Americans in the cross hairs. They want to reap the benefits of support from the majority of Americans who support marijuana legalization. But they don’t want to upset the shrinking population still embroiled in the bunk “War on Drugs.” Others just don’t seem to want to admit they might have been wrong all these years about the proven benefits of cannabis.

So instead of doing the right thing and removing marijuana from the list of Schedule I narcotics under Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812, they create patches that keep the drug illegal on the federal level, but tie the hands of those who might try to enforce the law.

These patches, however, have become a target under this administration’s antiquated anti-marijuana agenda.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has already removed one such patch. He recently withdrew the Cole Memo, a 2013 Department of Justice directive which instructed prosecutors to not go after cannabis crimes that were in compliance with state laws. And since the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment only protects medical marijuana, those in the industry not protected under that umbrella have become nervous. While funding and support to pursue such charges is lacking, our medical marijuana lawyers in Orange County know there are ways federal officials can make life more difficult for honest business owners.

U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) along with Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) are hoping to make the amendment named after them more permanent by trying to  put it to a floor vote by the full House, a step that has alluded them in the past. They also would like to expand the protections to include recreational marijuana laws in the states. They seem to have backing among their peers at least for medical, though how difficult it will be to add adult-use to the amendment is unclear. It is absurd that adult-use is still even a question considering Pew Research Center has reported 61% of Americans are in favor of legalization, and the number continues to rise.

In the meantime, it is more important than ever for marijuana businesses to keep their noses clean and comply with all state and local laws. Any step out of line could make your business a target for those looking to undermine progress. Our experienced attorneys are here to help you set your business up right the first time and keep you in check as the industry and laws continue to evolve.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 714-937-2050.

Additional Resources:

Budget Deal Extends Medical Marijuana Protections, But Only Temporarily, Feb. 9, 2018, By David Hodes, Leafly

More Blog Entries:

Attorney General Jeff Sessions Asks Congress to Let Him Prosecute Medical Marijuana, July 3, 2017, By Medical Marijuana Lawyers Blog

 

 

 

from https://www.marijuanalawyerblog.com/2018/02/federal-budget-protects-state-medical-marijuana-businesses-now.html

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Cannabis and BC’s double standard with tobacco and alcohol

When recreational cannabis is legalized, its retail environment will be very different in key ways from how we purchase alcohol or tobacco. Let’s take a look at how BC’s recently released cannabis regulations compare to similar laws for alcohol and tobacco, and explore why the government is treating cannabis the way it is. For a quick side-by-side […]

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Los Angeles Government Agencies Warned About Cannabis Usage

The more understanding of cannabis changes, the more enforcement of archaic laws stays the same.

In Los Angeles and other areas in California, government employees are getting warning letters reminding them that they are not allowed to consume marijuana, even while off-duty, saying their employers strict no-drug policies have not changed, even as state laws have evolved into the 21st century, according to NBC Los Angeles.

The warnings were spurred by the passing of Proposition 64, which led to legalization of recreational marijuana in California as of Jan. 1. Los Angeles is one of the cities which has welcomed legalization efforts and cannabis businesses. Meanwhile, it is clear many will not be able to enjoy the same freedoms as their fellow residents.

No one is arguing the merits of such a policy when it comes to consuming anything that might impair a worker while on the clock. But prohibiting marijuana use on one’s own time is as ridiculous as forbidding an employee from enjoying a glass of wine after a long day at work.Our trusted cannabis legalization attorneys in Los Angeles know that many places of employment will continue to hide behind federal classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug under Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812. That is why it is so important to keep pushing to declassify this beneficial drug, which science has proven time and again has no business being on the same list with drugs such as heroin. However, as things are highly unlikely to change under the current administration, it is crucial to seek legal guidance from knowledgeable attorneys like ours with the experience and know-how to help you navigate the landscape of cannabis laws should you find yourself in trouble, caught between state laws and federal grandstanding.

Metro transit employees were reminded that they are still held accountable by federal Department of Transportation rules, which abide by the Schedule I misclassification. Los Angeles Fire Department reinforced their rule to be a drug- and alcohol-free workplace, and that there would be ramifications for workers appearing on the job under the influence. Such rules are obviously necessary, especially among safety workers. But it is ludicrous that such policies should have any bearing on how an employee spends their personal time while not on-call.

Los Angeles Police Department issued the most pointed memo, explicitly stating marijuana use is not allowed “for any reason” even while off-duty. “Department policy is unaffected by the legalization of adult-use marijuana,” the memo said.

Other non-government businesses have also clung to federal law to guide company policies, including disciplining workers who test positive for marijuana during drug screenings, even without evidence that they were impaired while at work. Our marijuana attorneys have seen the tides changing, though, and are hopeful they will continue to shift. Smart businesses know that the world is moving forward, and in order to remain competitive and retain the best employees, company policies must adapt with the times. They can do so by dropping marijuana from random drug tests and screenings and focus more on performance and whether workers are impaired on the job.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 714-937-2050.

Additional Resources:

Local Agencies Warn Employees Against Using Recreational Marijuana, Even Off-Duty, Feb. 7, 2018, By Eric Leonard, NBC Los Angeles

More Blog Entries:

Employers Revisiting Policies on Marijuana, Jan. 1, 2018, Cannabis Law Group

 

from https://www.marijuanalawyerblog.com/2018/02/los-angeles-government-agencies-warned-cannabis-usage.html

Los Angeles Government Agencies Warned About Cannabis Usage is available on The Mrs. Hardy Blog

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