Washington House Passes Bill to Close Dispensaries, Reduce Patients’ Rights
With
a 60 to 36 vote, Washington State’s House of Representatives has approved Senate Bill 5052, a proposal to close every medical cannabis dispensary in the state, in addition to other regressive changes. The proposal has already been approved by the full Senate, but will go back for one final vote given it was amended in the House.
If approved into law, the proposal would reduce the amount of cannabis a patient can possess from 24 ounces to 3, and reduce the amount of plants they can cultivate from 15 to 6. All dispensaries would be shutdown, with recreational cannabis outlets given the ability to apply for a medical cannabis endorsement from the state. The measure would also establish a patient database, which patients would be required to join to receive legal protections. If a patient doesn’t join the registry, they’ll only be able to possess an ounce, and cultivate up to four plants.
Sensible Washington, a nonprofit organization working to protect patients’ rights and end the drug war in Washington State, calls the proposal “ridiculous” and “regressive”, and says that it will “increase prices, decrease access and ultimately put a heavy, unnecessary burden on patients”. The group has been pushing for the passage of House Bill 2058, which would provide defined arrest protection for patients while giving dispensaries the opportunity to become licensed with the state. Unfortunately the proposal has yet to receive a public hearing in the House Commerce and Gaming Committee despite having bipartisan support.
If Senate Bill 5052 is approved in the House without additional amendments, it will be sent to Governor Jay Inslee for final consideration.
– TheJointBlog
frankielee
Our Masters giveth, and they taketh away. But never fear, for they know best how we should live our lives.
Silence! Just keep shoulder to the boulder….and do what they demand. What place do we have to question?
Have faith that once they’ve adjusted their profit scales, we’ll be allowed some access to the medicine.
Anonymous
Shut the fuck up. Don’t be a sheep be a fucking leader.
Anonymous
I believe there was a measure of sarcasm in his text that you seem to have missed out on before you posted your rude reply.
Anonymous
You need you’re sarcasm meter calibrated.
Kurt
You need you’re sarcasm meter calibrated.
Marlyn Macias
This measure was ill intended. One of our own from the MMJ community helped this along.
Where is the Compassion that they claim to be practicing.
Let the domino effect begin. This will end badly.
jetcityhawk
Marlyn: You are so right. The very people who for years had their lives ruined for having an eighth in their car after being pulled over for a burned out tail-light. Now, hey…it’s a big money maker! And even though the medical uses are now being proven, the people who truly need it will end up, eventually, paying whatever that going rate is at the recreational stores. (Which would probably be more expensive than the cost of the 3 or 4 medications I DON’T have to buy or take because marijuana does a far better (and healthier) job. Soon, to reduce my blood pressure, increase my appetite, and relieve my joint inflammation due to rheumatoid arthritis – I can make a trip what is not the equivalent of a pharmacy, but more that of a liqueur store. At first (for the first 15 years our state allowed MMJ for medical usage) I thought this was a godsend. No more having to buy “whatever” from your “connection” and risk jail because I don’t want to be on morphine for the rest of my life. It’s now only a matter of time before the first domino falls, and all the “little things” that need some extra funding will be added onto the MMJ tax, so our illnesses will help to repair pot-holes (no pun intended) in our roads, reopen a few parks the city couldn’t afford to keep open, add more poop-bags receptacles in dog parks, a statue paying tribute to child-abuser Bing Crosby, etc. As if the taxes collected by recreational MMJ sellers won’t by itself be a windfall for which the state has it’s “former criminals” to thank. What other Medical RX is taxed?
maria
What the freak….So this means what?? Laws about mmj will be no dispenseries unless they are governed by the united states arm and weapons and the patients who need this med will have some type of card? So those who use it for recreational purposes are not allowed to have or grow in their possession? Do I understand the topic right or am I wrong???
David M
The Republicans in our State. In power (the Senate) the first time since the 1940’s rammed this one through. There were many hearing but they didn’t listen to patients it was obvious their minds were already made up. The hearing I attended showed just how heartless Washington Senate Republicans are.
The bill’s sponsor Sen. Ann River’s-R walked out in the middle of a fully disabled Iraq veteran speaking from his wheel-chair. He was polite and was expressing how cutting his plant grow amount would mean he would no longer have enough medicine to go get him through the year.
Sen River-R just flapped her arms in frustration, he was apparently because boring her so she got up and walked out of the hearing room, right in the middle of this paraplegic veterans 3 minute testimony. That showed me how callous and in-human the Republican party can be. Don’t try to candy coat it with the word “bipartisan, Bipartisan my ass!
Claude Bannick
We must not change the law to reduce the number of plants and the amount of canaries obe cam possess. The law is working well now. We need to grow multiple plants to make medicinal oils for the CBC’s
Thank you
LLOYD TURNER
THE PUBLIC VOTED FOR THIS BUT THE CONSERVITIVE MASTERS WANT TO TAKE IT AWAY. THIS IS BULLSHIT
David
The Bill has BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT…you can’t read?
bob
Worse then that its 2 dems and 1 repug.
Vote out the cowards
David M
Not so. It was a Republican sponsored bill by Sen. Ann River’s Republican La Conner WA. If not for the Democrat’s, the “patient registry” would have been MANDATORY. This from the so-called (and now debunked) “party of small government” The Dem’s voted for it. But they held their noses and we’ll see what happens next Friday. Don’t try to pin this stinker on the Democrat’s. This one sit’s on the Republicans doorstep and they will pay dearly election day 2016
David M
Bipartisan my ass ! If not for the Democrat’s this would have been much worse as the Neanderthal Republicans threw a hissy fit when the Democrats were successful in making the patient registry optional < The control Freak Republicans tried FORCING every state MMJ patient to register.
Don't try to candy-coat the Republicans complicity in this, You can't un-ring that bell. I doubt there will be one Republican Senator left in the Washington Senate following election day 2016. Myself and hundreds of like-minded folks I know will be doing everything we can to under-mine the Republican in Washington.
Read this and then see if you still want to defend the Republican Party:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/01/the-millionaire-who-wants-to-control-washington-s-weed.html
David M
It’s a Republican bill. On every blog their are conservative Republican’s trying to lay this on the Democrat’s doorstep.
This bell cannot be un-rung. It’s a Republican Bill. If the Republicans had not been voted into power in 2014 I can assure you our dispensaries would not be forced to close.
Republican’s know this will mean a sweep against politically but in Washington, they don’t give a shit. They haven’t been in power in over 40 years and know the clocks ticking as the last election was a fluke due to the 18-29 year old’s not voting (but complaining loudest it seems now after it’s too late).Republicans know they are come early Nov.2016.
There was a Bi-partisan vote because the Fed’s are concerned about how badly this has been botched from the start (and now we know it was a Republican business man’s doing) Republicans’ wouldn’t allow any Democrat bill’s out of committee or a vote on amendment except one important one
The Dem’s were successful in making the awful patient registry an option the fascist Republican’s you want to defend wanted to FORCE every sick patient onto the registry. The party of small government my ass.
pk
They have taken our money, now they want to reduce our agreement.
Anonymous
it’s all about the money,and weed is now the Liberals cash cow..Expect it to get nasty…………………https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kEpZWGgJks&app=desktop
David M
What’s with the “liberal horse-shit? This was a Tea-party Republican Bill with a Republican author. Get your facts straight if your going to throw boiler plate bull-shit around
kim mattoon
it’s all about the money,and weed is now the Liberals cash cow..Expect it to get nasty…………………https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kEpZWGgJks&app=desktop
Vin
The “liberals” cash cow? Ha ha ha.
David M
What exactly is a “conservative cash cow ” guns for children ?
Moirraine
These people are breaking Washington state Constitution law.
Doesn’t matter – we are being lorded over by those who can’t READ the STATE Constitution
Section II Article 19 – READ IT WA STATE OFFICIALS! YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW AND NEGATING VOTES!
wayne
Washington house are morons. Iegalizing it would push out the black market. But, the way they’re making it resort more back to the black market. House pull your heads out your arses. Most of are greedy
David M
Actually the Senate Republicans have their finger-prints all over this monster. This travesty would have been much worse without a Democrat House. In fact there’s still hope because the Republicans screwed up and now it has to return to the Democrat House and new amendments can be added to help patients before this stinker passes
Here is some information about the “Patient Protection Amendment” which hopefully will be voted and passed in the Democrat House Friday:
The Patient Protection Amendment:http://www.safeaccessnow.org/wa_amendment_5052_s2_amh_appl_blac_080
The “Patient Protection Amendment” offers solutions to a number of well-documented concerns from medical cannabis patients, health care professionals, compassionate caregivers and those in the industry. Some of the biggest changes include: If you don’t want to open it this summarizes the amendment
Preserves the sanctity of the Doctor-Patient relationship
Restores patients ability to possess a 60-day supply of medication
Institutes clear parameters for private, noncommercial patient-to-patient cooperatives
Ensures that medical cannabis businesses are subject to regulatory oversight by providing a distinct path for licensure
Incentivizes participation in a patient registry, without penalizing those who choose not to do so
fred
It is a sad day Washington, Shame on every last one that vote for this, may they never be in need!
Hazel
I get Delivery Service. Just check mapweeds.com medical Marijuana Baby.
Kassie Jermann
This is so stupid and I for one and know many others who are with me when I say I am against all of this. We the people in the medical end of it have voiced ourselves and this is not what we have asked for. It’s obvious you just want money! If it was truly about helping medical patients, then WA Gov. wouldn
t have done this!
Anonymous
This utterly rediculous I wish it was still illegal it’s all about the money. This is all about them being in control stupid hopefully this does not go through
David M
The writer’s of the recreational bill I-502 which passed in 2012, bold face lied when they told the public that our medical marijuana law would be untouched if legalization passed. That’s the ONLY reason it passed. Without the support of MMJ patients this bill would have gone down in flames that year the same way Oregon’s 2012 legalization vote did. They hood-winked and lied in order to screw us all.
james roberts
This is absolute bullshit! Something has worked well for 15 years and is voter approved to be messed with by the pigs at the trough is just plain wrong. Black market will love this as it always has. What do these idiots think they’re doing?! If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! Too many people are dependent on the way it is now to suddenly go back to the old ways. Been an outlaw for 40 years before becoming legal 15 years ago and remember quite well what and how to do it. The state is screwing itself over their ignorance and hoggishness. Good luck, pigs, cat’s out of the bag and you’ll never get us back in.
Anonymous
Now this shall make the police pigs happy once more and stay start arresting people n take away their hard earned cash n possessions in their car such as civil forfeiture thats profitable to them. That’s mainly one of the reasons why they join the force.
Intruder
De we get “protection” from UA’s for “registering”?
everybodhi
That’s what they said when they registered growers in Mendocino country then the feds took the country to court to release the list of names to them.
David
When is the protest?
laura
they just want to take control of the market and tax the hell out of it. When it is under medical umbrella they cannot tax it like they do our cigarettes, booze and gas here in WA state. if 5052 passes I will move away from this state as I need my MMJ. I despise the way our state government has gotten involved and twisted the medical users and recreational users into the same category. Asswipes…. Inslee especially…
David M
I too intend to move too if this passes. I believe the city of Seattle will be shocked at the number’s of people moving if this passes next Friday and the smoke clears, in about a year. The pie in the sky tax gains they thought to derive by screwing sick medical patients will be more than offset by the number of patients leaving this State/.
That is until the Indian tribes begin selling and offer patients a viable alternative alternative to 502 tourist stores. Even then, I’m not signing a State registry which means I’d be paying a 30% tax on top of a 10.5% sales tax. For me it’s not so much the money (although it’s a problem for too many sick persons) it’s about how this was done, the registry, and the smugness of the Republican Senator’s.
What Olympia also fails to understand that Seattle is an expensive city in which to live. Well more than half the city population are renter’s. Once that lease is up it’s adios amigo’s I’m outta here. I did a comparison a few weeks ago. Really broke down.Seattle’s cost of living. I used Portland OR. as an example. Seattle has a 39% higher cost of living than Portland Oregon.
I wouldn’t move to Oregon until they get their mess straightened out either. Sadly, I believe this may well become a pattern as each State legalizes marijuana. The legislator’s will pick the will of the people apart like a piece of fried chicken as soon as State law allows.
I hate prohibition and the damage it’s done to America. However, I won’t live nor support any State that would do this to their sickest citizens merely so one man can make ever more millions of dollar’s on these same patients backs . I intend to steer clear of any of the State that are about to legalize say in 2016.
What I seek is a State with a strong, solid medical marijuana law, (like Washington has until July 2016) having adequate dispensaries to service patients at reasonable prices. Most important one where State legalization appears to be a long way off on the horizon. Hawai’i is just opening MMJ dispensaries on Oahu. That’s my destination. No plans for legalization. We have until July 2016. I’ll be gone before then. Mahalo!
Anonymous
don’t let this bill pass at all, or it will be black market out their big time. so lets get off our asses and vote to safe dispencery
lc and tp
don’t let this bill pass any further,
we need our dispencery open,
Anonymous
(1)
The tax levied by RCW
82.08.020
shall not apply to:
(a)
Beginning July 1, 2016, sales of marijuana concentrates,
useable marijuana, or marijuana-infused products identified by the
department of health under section 10 of this act to be beneficial
for medical use by marijuana retailers holding medical marijuana
endorsements to qualifying patients or designated providers who hold authorization cards;
Mea C
This is my only option for pain management! I don’t want to have to resort to opiate pain management! I’m an opiate addict! I can barely afford my medicine as it is! This frightens me! My life is finally livable and manageable and I can barely afford my medicine. 🙁
Anonymous
Thers no opia te pain management,
Doctors across the us have been ordered to limit pain meds to those who are in traction …..
everybodhi
What are you talking about?
People that live with chronic pain get opiates if they want them, millions of people take prescribed opiates in this country.
Mea C doesn’t get them because of an addiction and has been successful substituting cannabis for opiates as I understand it from what MC wrote. I assume Mea C doesn’t want them because even with an addiction it’s easy enough to get a prescription for opiates if one has a legitimate reason for wanting them.
Anonymous
I am a stage 4 cancer patient and I am denied opiates. The only place I can get them is off the street. They said I have an addiction as well, however I can’t understand how anyone that uses opiates doesn’t get addictive? Long term painfully illnesses or surgeries would be enough to get anyone addicted.?
David M
Not really. Each State has different rules regarding opiate prescriptions and pain management. In Washington you have to pass a urine test at least every second prescription you receive from a doctor. The biggest problem is the insurance companies. They’re squeezing doctors to cut back on all patient opiate dosage. That said, they cannot just simply come between a doctor and patient,. Not yet anyway.
anthony capitano
FUCK THAT SHIT ! WE VOTED IT IN , HOW CAN THEY CHANGE IT WITH OUT THE PEOPLE VOTING ON IT. WHO ARE THEY TO JUST CHANGE THE LAW WITH OUT THE PEOPLE VOTING ON IT FIRST.. ARE THEY HAVING PUBLIC HERINGS AN NOT MAKING IT PUBLIC SO THEY CAN CHANGE THE LAW BECAUSE NOBODY SHOWED UP TO PROTEST…
Anonymous
No didn’t vote medical pot. This is a move to make sTate pot the only place to go. Buy yourself a pot shop.
David M
As I mentioned earlier, State law allows the legislature to amend any bill passed via the initiative process after two years. They did everything they could possibly do to stop the clock until that two years passed. Once this passes, just watch how many hundreds of retail recreational stores spring up virtually over-night in Seattle as Mr. Tobia’s (alledegly) played this State and it’s lawmakers like a violin.
Anonymous
We have to protest this
Bomahker
Protesting will only get the shit beat out of you and thrown in jail you stupid hippie.
David M
There are protests practically every week at the Capital in Olympia. Often more than one. I’ve yet to see or hear about anyone being arrested for expressing their first amendment rights. This could change as this final vote nears in the House Friday as it’s an emotional issue dealing with sick persons and their loved ones. Violence is never the answer and counter productive/
Anonymous
This beyond horseshit. i have medical condition and its a oral genetic dirorder where i loose all my teeth naturally from not being to produce enough saliva. My brother and sister end up with perfect teeth. I have smoke in order to eat because im in constant pain with my teeth
mr. white
IF this bill passes, TAKE NOTE OF EVERY LAWMAKER that votes for this bill, make sure they don’t get re-elected or petition for recall and take their damn jobs. Washington state voters get it done time and time again. I applaud your efforts and hope you send a sound message to your legislators that THEY work for YOU and ANY laws that are drawn against the people’s wishes, will be dealt with…swiftly and without mercy.
Good luck, god speed, and DAMN THE MAN.
Seriously, get your shit together and show state leaders that you won’t take any shit from them.
ElectroPig Von Fökkengrüüven
I’ve been telling people for years to stop begging for “more words on more pieces of paper”, and for some reason, they keep right on begging for more “rules” and “regulations” and “taxes” and “licenses” and “fees” and “restrictions” and they can’t seem to understand why they’re still not FREE?!?
If you want to be http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/FREE, first you’ve got to stop begging to be http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/LEGAL
NOT “Legalize”: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Legalize
NOT “Decriminalize”: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Decriminalize
but REPEAL: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/REPEAL
Anonymous
(d) The number of retail outlets holding medical marijuana endorsements necessary to meet the medical needs of qualifying patients.
The state liquor and cannabis board must reconsider the maximum number of retail outlets it established before the effective date of this section and allow for a new license application period and a greater number of retail outlets to be permitted in order to accommodate the medical needs of qualifying patients and designated providers;
Lydia Decker
Ugh!!! This Sux! It’s Always All about the “Control”!
The “Control” Needs to STOP!
stoney
Ill get my dope no matter what. I can grow it sell it whatever. nothing changes. We did it when it was illegal. The medical laws were just loophole laws so it could be legalized. The government cops and politicians just cant admit defeat. They cant simply state ” we were wrong” “WE LOST”. Get over it!!! Smoke em if you got em!! we will get more.
Puffin N Politics
The Dollar Demon in full effect this is outrageous…
Anonymous
It’s wrong. The state just wants control over the whole thing. This is only because people who have the right to grow are abusing the system by selling to anyone for profit instead of selling to the dispensaries. Screw the senate and their over riding of already set laws.
David M
They can “over-ride a ballot initiative after two years have passed since passage. They dragged their feet during the licencing process claiming the licence holder’s had problem’s filling out the forms getting their money. It was all hooey so they could pass the two year mark and legally do whatever it is they wanted
ames
Wow, and y’all want to make it leagal and give them power. Well here ya go. Good job dumb ass’s.
Enjoy what you made legal and now we have no control!!
David M
I don’t understand the point of your recrimination? Where do YOU live KANSAS?
jeff
Don’t blame the gvmnt. Blame the rec growers for pushing this bill. And a few medical dispensary owners support it too. Don’t worry, the indians will be selling in no time here in Washington. Tax free too. I will support the indian dispensries just to help shut the rec growers down.
Lastly, vote for the right senator. This is what happens when you do not vote.
Anonymous
Why blame rec growers? They didn’t make the rules, they are only playing the cards on the table and this process have been difficult for them too. Don’t forget 95% of the mj community that doesn’t make money growing or selling weed doesn’t give a shit about your whining. Be careful what you wish for with the Indian BS, probably worse for remaining garage growers as Indians would take the last of the bottom feeder customers. Try putting on your big boy pants and getting a real job – it’s been done before…
Oregon
Don’t be dumb Bro. It is the rec Grower and they lobbied for this bill and got it passed so they can monopolize the Cannabis business in Wash
David M
I agree. Following this vote, the Native Tribes, especially those whose lands are located around Puget Sound) have an even greater incentive to enter Washington/ Seattle’s marijuana market. This will be interesting.
David M
Au contraire! With all due respect. How can I NOT blame the government ? They[re the ones that allegedly allowed Tobia’s to write the bill. This after stalling for two years so the legislature could amend the original 502 bill and use the changes to kill the State 1998 medical law. People were wondering and there have even been national op-ed articles about how slow it was taking Washington. Now we know the reason for the slug like pace. Until only a month or so ago, there were only about a half dozen rec stores were open in Seattle. The Republicans put the brakes on everything until allegedly, their pal Tobia’s could buy his grow properties and setup business partner’s Statewide (he being the money “angel”) in conjunction with the Sen River’s-R medical killing Bill.
David M
Au contraire! With all due respect. How can I NOT blame the government ? They[re the ones that allegedly allowed Tobia’s to write the bill. This after stalling for two years so the legislature could amend the original 502 bill and use the changes to kill the State 1998 medical law. People were wondering and there have even been national op-ed articles about how slow it was taking Washington. Now we know the reason for the slug like pace. Until only a month or so ago, there were only about a half dozen rec stores were open in Seattle. The Republicans put the brakes on everything until allegedly, their pal Tobia’s could buy his grow properties and setup business partner’s Statewide (he being the money “angel”) in conjunction with the Sen River’s-R medical killing Bill.
David M
There is a call for as many medical patients as possible to boycott any of the States 502 recreational stores if we can hold out until the tribes come in and that should be ok as this fascist bill doesn’t go into effect until next July (July 2016) So, the tribes have a year to get it together. I believe that they will.
Anonymous
Good grief David M, give it a rest. Maybe you need to start looking for gainful employment as well? I’ll say it again, most stoners don’t give a shit about who profits from selling them weed. So what if a handful off mmj malcontent growers/dispensaries who don’t have the skills to bridge up ‘boycott 502’. Most people are seeing that the 502 stores have better quality product and and the prices aren’t that different from medical – that’s why sales and acceptance of 502 continues to rise at a rapid clip. It’s also somewhat funny that mmj ‘activist’ idiots continue to point fingers about pricing and greed – look in the mirror dopes, you have been gouging consumers with 10/15 dollar a gram weed for years without shame, apologies, or a dollar paid in taxes…
Anonymous
Everyone keeps saying “don’t let it pass” with no indication of how to stop it. Every one of you needs to put your effort where your mouth is. Write to your senator and councilmen/women. Attend meetings to learn what needs to be done to ensure this does not pass. Investigate how this bill came into existence, who wrote it, who supports it, who stands to gain from its passage etc. Be vocal in intelligent ways. Measures such as this are based in fear that plays on erroneous representations. Speak out to correct those misrepresentations. And last, learn which groups or organizations are working to combat it and support and join them!
David M
Believe me people did call go to the Capital steps to protest testify. It made zero difference. Here’s an example highlighting the Senator’s behavior throughout……….During a hearing the few times that the public was allowed to testify, it was an Irag war veterans turn to speak. He talked about if they cut his plant grow limit he would not have enough to get him through the year.
He was at the point of tears. In the middle of his testimony, Senator Rivers-R suddenly stood up, flapped her arms wildly and then either out of boredom, lack of concern or both WALKED OUT on this wounded veteran !!!!! This is what we were up against. So please don’t rag on us about not calling or trying to stop this. Once the lobbist the “Millionaire that wants to control Washington’s weed wrote the bill for the Republicans our gooses were cooked.
PS Mr. Tobia’s the Republican millionaire was the former head of Washington’s Liquor Control Borad which over-see’s the recreational store system. Conflict of interest? Even the Dixie Mafia in the Deep South wouldn’t try this much less be allowed too by elected legislatures. Gov. Edwin Edwards-D Louisiana went to prison in the late 1990’s for doing something very similar. I don’t think anyone here is going to jail.
David M
Believe me people did call go to the Capital steps to protest testify. It made zero difference. Here’s an example highlighting the Senator’s behavior throughout……….During a hearing the few times that the public was allowed to testify, it was an Irag war veterans turn to speak. He talked about if they cut his plant grow limit he would not have enough to get him through the year.
He was at the point of tears. In the middle of his testimony, Senator Rivers-R suddenly stood up, flapped her arms wildly and then either out of boredom, lack of concern or both WALKED OUT on this wounded veteran !!!!! This is what we were up against. So please don’t rag on us about not calling or trying to stop this. Once the lobbist the “Millionaire that wants to control Washington’s weed wrote the bill for the Republicans our gooses were cooked.
PS Mr. Tobia’s the Republican millionaire was the former head of Washington’s Liquor Control Borad which over-see’s the recreational store system. Conflict of interest? Even the Dixie Mafia in the Deep South wouldn’t try this much less be allowed too by elected legislatures. Gov. Edwin Edwards-D Louisiana went to prison in the late 1990’s for doing something very similar. I don’t think anyone here is going to jail.
Joel Mentzos
You should of left the existing medical law voted in office in 1999 separated from the new one that is nothing short of a joke! Now most every one will just go under ground thanks to you? You should be ashamed putting people out of business since 1999 that have been paying there share and more of taxes and serving patients.
David M
The voting public were lied to by the authors of the States recreational bill. We were told that if Initiative 502 were passed our State’s 1998 MMJ law would be “untouched”. That’s the word they used “untouched”. The problem is by State law the legislature can alter an initiative two years after it’s been passed.
Republicans took over Washington’s Senate the most powerful of the 3 governmental branches in Nov 2014. Republicans have not held power in this State since the 1940’s !
Low ballot returns (we vote by mail) was the culprit. The key 18-29 year old age group in a very young city like Seattle came in at an abysmal 27%. I suppose they couldn’t stop looking at their fucking phones the five minutes it took to fill out a State ballot and mail it. Oregon is going through the same angst. But they have Washington as a worst case example so activists there have been able to fight back.
Here in Washington the Republicans squelched any much more progressive bills and amendment to the monster rammed thru. Republicans tried to make this even worse than it is now by forcing every MMJ patient onto a State registry. The Dem’s cashed in all of their coupons to kill that and at least make the registry optional (4 plant’s rather than 6, and also have to pay a 30% excise tax if unregistered).
The good new are the Native Tribes. They are ready to get into both medical and recreational sales by this summer it appears. Their are numerous Tribes virtually surrounding Pugrt Sound which comprises Seattle /Tacoma/ Olympia. Seattle citizens (among others will soon have access to very very low marijuana prices with top notch quality.
So all is not lost. It just didn’t have to happen this way. It comes down to vulture capitalist greed. If you read my link at the top of this page, you’ll find the Daily Beast article “The Millionaire Who Wants to Control Washington’s Weed” It details how one rich Republican has cornered the market for he and his pal’s. The author of the Anti-dispensary legislation was written with him (Sen. River’s once slipped and said he wrote it but is back-tracking that now) as a lobbyist the Senate Bills author Sen Ann River”s-R La Conner WA. bi
David M
I’ll post this again. This coming Friday the Washington Democrat controlled house will be offering an amendment to SB 5052 This won’t repair all of the damage done to patients but it sure as hell helps and is a beacon of hope to the Republican bill. I implore people to please read this amendment and politely call you House member and let them know you support it before the vote Friday. Thanks!
It’s called: The Patient’s Right Amendment. Let'[s hope it passes and try our best to make it happen. When you click the link you will see the amendment.
.http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2015-16/Pdf/Amendments/House/5052-S2%20AMH%20APPL%20BLAC%20080.pdf
N/A
Direct your frustration to JAY INSLEE, Contact his local office and express your concerns and questions!!!
David M
I’d primarily concentrate on the Senate This because the bill was amended in the House so the bill now goes back to the Senate for the final vote (no chance it will change) but hey we can still try. Inslee (as are many State Governors), is merely a figure-head ribbon cutter Governor.
He’ll sign whatever they put on his desk. He doesn’t write the dreck they pass he only signs them and he’s already stated firmly he will sign any marijuana legislation the State legislature passes. Inslee’s pissed because his carbon tax bill was slapped down in the Senate by the Republicans
Anonymous
This is unfortunate for medicinal users. Many of the seniors we work with at http://www.seniorsMMJnetwork.com are unable to tend their own plants. The few that do are not producing the same yields as master growers. The plant limit is troubling because 3 in veg, 3 in flower. What happens if you lose the 3 in veg to feeding mistakes or bugs? Also you’d have to grow from seed otherwise taking clones would up your plant total. What if all 3 are male, which you only discover half way through the grow? Males do not produce flower. We see many other issues, access being the most important. We visit rec shops, few have CBD strains and NONE are allowed to mention any benefits. This villus not right but I fail to know how and prevent this ship from sailing.
Seniors MMJ Network
http://www.seniorsmmjnetwork.com – Washington based.
David M
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/01/the-millionaire-who-wants-to-control-washington-s-weed.html
For anyone that truly wants to understand how this bill came about should take a few minutes and read this investigative article from the Daily Beast which breaks it down perfectly.
PS: Make sure you have your blood pressure medicine handy!
Bud
Thanks for the read. Follow the greed to find the answer, typical. I’m all for entrepeneurship, but to corner the market??
David M
My apologies this is doubling my posts for some reason. I’m only key it in once but two appear. Sorry.