Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana is one of the most volatile topics
in the US. Since we're a vaporizer lifestyle website
we wanted to provide our readers with various facts
relating to medical marijuana. We'll explore states
that have adopted medical marijuana laws, get in depth
with issues surrounding medical marijuana in California
and the Federal Opposition against state legislation.
Medical Marijuana Reform
Since 1996 eleven states in the United States of America
have embraced medical marijuana laws. At the forefront,
California is leading the way in changing the medical
marijuana prohibition era grandfather laws. In November
1996, 56% of California residents voted in medical
marijuana law Prop. 215.
Medical Marijuana by State
In November 1998 medical marijuana laws were on the
ballot. Alaska voted on Question 8, Oregon voted on
Measure 67, Washington State voted on Initiative 692,
the nations capitol Washington D.C. voted on Initiative
59 with an overwhelming 69% voting yes to reform medical
marijuana laws.
In November of 1999 Maine voted to pass Question
2. In 2000, Colorado adopted Amendment 20 as well
as Nevada deciding on Question 9. Medical marijuana
initiatives were also passed in Hawaii, Maine, Maryland
and Vermont.
California Medical Marijuana Laws
Medical Marijuana Law: Proposition 215
Proposition 215 enacted in 1996 has provided California
residents with exoneration from criminal prosecution
for the cultivation and use of medical marijuana.
Although Proposition 215 does not legalize the non-medical
use of marijuana, it provides a very viable legal
defense for the medical marijuana patients with valid
licenses.
Medical Marijuana Law: Senate Bill 420
Senate Bill 420 established voluntary, patient registry
supervised by the Department of Health. It also sets
two new legal classes of medical marijuana patients.
Defines medical marijuana as dry buds, not stems,
leafs or seeds. Also sets criminal punishment for
the abuse of the new card system.
Medical Marijuana Law: Measure Z
Measure Z was an initiative decided upon in November
2004, this medical marijuana law sets the groundwork
for the total decriminalization of marijuana. Measure
Z allows medical marijuana patients the ability to
purchase their medical marijuana from reputable businesses.
It's slated to make personal, private marijuana use
for those over the age of 18, the lowest enforcement
priority for the counties police officers.
Federal Opposition to California's medical Marijuana
Laws
There have been several raids resulting in arrests
against medical marijuana cooperatives in California.
This has brought a great deal of criticism from some
local California government and police officials.
William Lansdowne, Police Chief of San Jose (home
to silicon valley, California's technology capital)
recalled his officers from a DEA task force, saying
a "clear conflict between federal and state
law". So although California has adopted clear
and concise medical marijuana laws, the federal
government is able to assert federal jurisdiction,
which supercedes local and state law.
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