|
in:
|
|
| Forums > IC Magazine > USA Cannabis Scene: State By State > Washington State > Senator steps up for MMJ: | ||
Post Reply  |
| Senator steps up for MMJ: | Thread Tools |
11-12-2013, 06:23 PM
|
#1 |
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 375
 |
Senator steps up for MMJ:
SENATOR PLANS BILL TO SAVE MEDICAL POT by Ben Livingston, (Source:Stranger)
06 Nov 2013 Share This Article Washington -------Will Fight Attempts to Gut Patients' Rights Last month, medical marijuana supporters were aghast when a legislative work group released its draft recommendation that the state repeal pot-growing rights for the sick and dying, slash possession limits, and force doctors to register cannabis patients in a state database. If enacted by the legislature, such a bill would all but eliminate Washington State's voter-enacted medical cannabis law. But Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles ( D-Queen Anne ), the state's longest-serving pro-pot elected official, says patients need to speak up before the legislature meets in January, and a hearing the state is holding next week is critical to pushing back. "The liquor control board isn't doing anything by rule," she insists. "They're not coming out with a bill." Kohl-Welles says she will likely introduce a bill that could explicitly protect the medical marijuana law, allow home growing by patients, and encourage recreational pot stores ( the stores allowed by Initiative 502, which passed last year ) to sell marijuana grown specifically for medical purposes, such as low-THC, high-CBD varieties. She says that her bill, which she expects can pass, will likely include language to "tighten up" regulations on health-care professionals who authorize medical cannabis-an issue many elected officials consider a loosey-goosey problem within the current medical marijuana industry. It may also include a voluntary registry for patients who want to avoid the steep taxes on recreational cannabis. This could allay concerns that medical pot producers will unfairly compete with the new recreational system by selling untaxed, unregulated pot. Kohl-Welles hopes to appease many factions in the often-divided medical cannabis community. Preparing people for the state hearing next week, she says, "It doesn't help to just hurl insults. It's helpful for people to provide constructive feedback." More than 400 people are expected to pack a public hearing on the proposal to gut the medical marijuana law. It is scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, at 6 p.m. at Worthington Center, 5300 Pacific Avenue in Olympia. |
|
|
|
11-12-2013, 07:11 PM
|
#2 |
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 234
|
Thanks for the frequent updates, JamesFarmer. I sent my letter in last week, via email.
Regards |
|
|
|
|
11-12-2013, 07:29 PM
|
#3 | |
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 375
|
Quote:
Awesome!! I am hopefull that enough of us did speak up to have a powerful voice. Thank you!! FJ. |
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2013, 07:36 PM
|
#4 |
|
THEORETICAL
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: between CB1 and the singularity.
Posts: 7,046
 |
i've seen 3 different deadlines for comment.
meeting: Wednesday, November 13, at 6 p.m. Worthington Center 5300 Pacific Avenue Olympia.
__________________
"I'm not always a dick...but when I am, I drink cheap beer". 
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2013, 07:47 PM
|
#5 | |
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 375
|
Quote:
I believe the period for public comment to LCB via email has ended. BUT!! You can still reach out to your Rep's and let them know how you feel. LCB cannot change RCW69.51A. That will take legislation based upon LCB's recommendations. We can still make a difference. If you are able, please attend the meeting in Olympia tomorow. Remember: "The squeaky wheel gets the grease"...Let's get greased!! |
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2013, 10:28 PM
|
#6 |
|
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: South Park Colorado
Posts: 979
|
Good to hear the fight is on...
Priorities: Medical home growers because nobody does quality like the informed personal grower. NO Difference in pricing between recreational and medical as that's a huge area for weasling and people causing issues. No Change in the current Doctor System because if anything... the doctors simply need to be better educated. I personally believe it's silly that I have to get a piece of paper from some joker in a white coat who has a 'framed' piece of paper... when that joker has no education on the subject. I'm further incensed that I actually have to go get permission to treat myself medically in the first place.  With a plant! lol.What we really need? We REALLY need legislators who are ignorant to the facts of cannabis... to STOP being involved with making legislation about cannabis. Keep it Clean! 
|
|
|
1 members found this post helpful. |
|
11-12-2013, 11:16 PM
|
#7 | |
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 375
|
Quote:
Thnks for dropping in. I pretty much agree with you but with a little different take. I think some of the strongest reasons to keep patient grows is to insure access to the correct meds and keep them affordable to the medical patients. We need well grown meds of strains that are appropriate medical application. I expect the 502 community to focus on strains of high recreational value. Those are not allways the best for med use. As far as keeping price the same,I understand your thought and see merit but keep in mind that the aggregate tax on 502 MJ will be around 44% of the retail price. I think subjecting patients to a significant tax on medicine is just plain wrong. I expect "out the door" price of 502 cannabis to be $12-20 a gram. I think med patients should be completely exempt from excise and sales tax. As to the recommended changes in MMJ Recommendation rules. If "Joe 502" can buy without a recommendation then what is the justification for making a recommendation harder to get? I don't understand the reasoning... Bottom line: All of us in the Medical Community agree that the proposed changes would do significant harm and do little or no good. For LCB's recommendations to become law will require legislation based on thier recommendations to be drafted and passed by our Legislators. The time for us to offer feedbackto LCB in writing has passed. We can attent the meeting in Olympia tomorrow and we can continue to reach out to out Legislators and share the VOTERS views. |
|
|
|
|
|
11-13-2013, 03:42 AM
|
#8 |
|
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: South Park Colorado
Posts: 979
|
The issue with the pricing will be the backlash with the black market...
The reasoning to do it as a method to "keep medicine cheap" for the patients will end up having bad consequences for everyone. None of this is really going to change until they make it more or less like here in Colorado... at least for the people. We don't have to have a card to grow or use or carry... nearly everyone is talking about growing their own and in light of that mindset... it's difficult to see what's going on in other states. Keep it Clean!
|
|
|
|
|
11-13-2013, 04:53 PM
|
#9 |
|
To Have More ... Desire Less
  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,983
 |
I'll be in Oly.... this evening.... attending meeting w/ evergreen alumni.... let the protest begin...
__________________
i got a river for a soul... Darlin' I'm a nightmare... Dressed like a daydream~~~ |
|
|
2 members found this post helpful. |
|
11-13-2013, 07:11 PM
|
#10 | |
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 375
|
Quote:
If forced to pay "502 Retail" prices and buy from a 502 store I would not be able to afford it. I am sure that I am not the only one. |
|
|
|
|
| Post Reply |
«
Previous Thread
|
Next Thread
»
|
|
All times are GMT +2. The time now is 01:45 PM.
