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May-10-2013 23:39printcomments

California Supreme Court Shoots Down Marijuana But Will It Last?

The old guard of prohibition has failed, it's high time for a new more educated law of action to be enforced.

California Supreme Court
Courtesy: cannabisculture.com

(SACRAMENTO, CA) - On May 6th 2013 the California Supreme Court accepted the arguments that Cities and Counties could ban medical marijuana dispensaries within their localities.

This decision came about after an appeal to the higher courts in the Riverside case. This is a huge blow to the cannabis industry that has been booming here in California ever since 1996 when Proposition 215 was passed.

What this means for patients of the state, is that they must rally together and push their publicly elected officials whether city or county to allow them safe access to medicine at city council meetings and county supervisors board meetings.

With some areas of the state already well versed in dispensaries and permitting their zoning, some areas of Northern and Southern California still are very reluctant for change.

In our state capital of Sacramento the call to arms has been swift.

The same day the decision came out, rallies by Americans for Safe Access and California NORML began at the capital with large crowds gathering to express their disbelief and concern with this new decision.


The Sacramento region has been a hotbed for dispensaries closing and most operating delivery services to keep out of the reach of raids. The fire isn't out yet, now medical marijuana groups are rallying to get legislation on the ballot for this year.

The hope is with legalization advancements like Colorado and Washington, the voting public here at home is more open to the idea. If a ballot initiative for marijuana legalization passed in California, it would set up a statewide model for sales and distribution with tax revenues allocated for use.

This past month of May has seen Colorado move forward with its plans to tax the commodity and move forward with statewide implementation of marijuana for sale and distribution.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has stamped his seal of approval for his state to allow anyone over the age of 21 to buy up to an ounce of the drug at a time from special licensed stores. Soon the Colorado voters will be deciding in a special November ballot to impose taxes on these sales.

With all this progress being made elsewhere, California activists, advocates and groups are lining up for a big push this year. The fact is its about time. After 17 years of court battles and drawn out appellate rulings we need a structure that works for all of California!

The old guard of prohibition has failed, it's high time for a new more educated law of action to be enforced.

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Eric Salerno is a Salem-News.com writer from Butte County, California. His background is with State and Federal Agencies assisting in recovery efforts in disaster stricken states.

In 2008 he began advocating for medical marijuana in his home state. This journey began after the supervisors in his district of Butte County enacted a moratorium on legal Prop. 215 patients rights to access and grow their own medicine. He was one of only 10 people to show up at the meeting and voice his concerns with their actions.

That year a coalition of mores than 300 residents was formed and a Vote NO on measure A campaign began. These residents of Butte County united to stop the interference of the county.

This campaign was successful with a large voter drive initiative and media campaign securing 55% of the voters saying NO on measure A.

Today Eric works endlessly from Southern California to Northern California advising and implementing political tactics, to ensure every Californian has the right to access legal safe medicine under the law.

You can write to Eric at this address: Ericsalerno@sbcglobal.net

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Anonymous May 12, 2013 8:19 pm (Pacific time)

Ralph..because the CIA and the banks (basically one entity) want the money. As you mentioned...35 billion. Add another 500 billion to the opium from afghanistan and the banks/CIA are making big money. Thus, the feds breaking down doors of anyone that might threaten their golden goose, sending thousands of high power rifles thru fast and furious to the drug dealers in Mexico etc. And dont even get me started on Bengazi, an impeachable offense to obama, and, the IRS hitting the tea party, (Not a tea party member here, but I would protect even those I disagree with in regards), Ralph, we dont live in Kansas anymore. People say " who cares if they monitor you as long as you are doing nothing wrong"...Well the tea party was doing nothing wrong, and what happens if a republican gets in office in 2016 and starts demonizing a democratic institution without probable cause? Are people getting this now? Giving up liberties and freedom for security, you end up with neither.


Ralph E. Stone May 12, 2013 7:30 am (Pacific time)

Note that the California Supreme Court did not ban marijuana sales statewide. It said cities and counties could do so. A small distinction, but a distinction nonetheless. It is only a matter of time before marijuana sales and use will be legalized. Consider 52 percent of Americans favor legalizing marijuana and 48 percent of Americans have tried marijuana. Marijuana is the largest and most valuable crop grown -- about $35 billion -- in the U.S. Why not legalize it, tax it, and by doing so take away the "king crop" from the Mexican drug cartels?


Anonymous May 11, 2013 12:28 pm (Pacific time)

There is a problem tho with keeping marijuana illegal..It gives the drug cartels carte blanch, and it is of my opinion that the drug cartels are run by the CIA/obama,bush,clinton admin...Fast and furious was to arm the drug cartels that launder their money in banks such as wells fargo and wachovia (already proven, and both banks paid a fine), to fight the drug cartels that will not launder their money in the western banks, and to attack the 2nd ammendment. obama says "its the americans fault" in regards to the problems in Mexico. If the owners of wells fargo, wachovia, and the CIA are Americans, then this might be one time he actually did not lie.


Anonymous May 11, 2013 10:23 am (Pacific time)

I wonder if the reasons are: religious fanatics that have been brainwashed into thinking MJ is a devils weed, textile corporations not wanting the plant because it will give them competition, the pharma industry not wanting the herb because they cant patent it, and if more people find out that MJ is a fantastic medicine, that cuts into their profits big time..while pushing oxy drugs that kill and addict. Kinda crazy resaons yeah? And be careful about states like colorado. They went crazy on strict gun laws, so it is of my opinion, that they want to monitor MJ users, so they can say "you have a medical problem, turn in your guns". Its already happening so dont tell me it wont happen. Just be careful what you wish for. There are some that say "dont make MJ legal, the government then will control it, then less quality, then using it to demean or take rights away, keep it how it is, we can all get xlnt buds in the black market, leave it the way it is". What they do advocate tho, is why do the police have to even bother with a person that has less than an ounce? DOnt they have victim crimes out there they should be focusing on?

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