Following the dramatic policy shift announced by the Obama Administration last week, leadership of the California State Legislature has announced new plans to pursue a medical cannabis regulatory system that is in compliance with the new federal guidelines.
“Nothing in this bill preempts jurisdictions from enacting local bans on dispensaries," said Nate Bradley, executive director of California Cannabis Industry Association. "Zoning, taxation, and regulatory powers at the local level are clarified for the first time in legislation.
"Law enforcement should see the tools provided here -- a commercial registration system, a database of registrants, creating grants for enforcement and a wholly-dedicated enforcement department, as a positive step," former police officer Bradley said. "These tools, and others, are exactly what law enforcement has been asking for and are in this legislation.
"Most importantly, however, is the creation of a dedicated regulatory department under the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control," Bradley said. "That will fulfill the Obama administration’s explicit call for a strongly-regulated cannabis industry at the state level.”
“This is the legislative solution that rank-and-file law enforcement, government officials, and newspaper editorial boards have been asking for," said Sean Donahoe, deputy director of the California Cannabis Industry Association. "The California Cannabis Industry Association applauds the legislature for taking action on this issue.
