Thank You For Your Support

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Running a non-profit is a lot of hard work everyday.  PAN is not supported by any large donors, but we piece it together with many small contributions from patients, advocates and providers like yourself.  We can’t do it without you.

From time to time we experience unexpected expenses and shortfalls.  This is one of those times and we need your support.  I’m asking that you please click the donate button and contribute whatever you can.  Your contribution is always tax-deductible and a receipt will be emailed to you.  

Thank You!

California's Cannabis Taxes Drive Unregulated Market, Harms Patients And Providers

Earlier this month PAN reached out to each member of the California legislature, as well as department heads, seeking amendments to current cannabis regulations that will make medical cannabis more affordable for patients.

PAN has received some feedback from the legislature and at least one bill aims to reduce the excise tax but only temporarily.  There is still a lot of work to be done.  Below is PAN's letter to the California legislature.  We will continue to demand patient-friendly amendments.

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Patient Advocacy Network

Degé Coutee, President

P.O. Box 93845

Los Angeles, CA 90093

(323) 334-5282

patientadvocates@riseup.net

Office of the Governor

Governor Gavin Newsom

State Capitol, Suite 1173

Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: My letter to the California Senate and Assembly Regarding Medical Cannabis

February 4, 2019

I write to you regarding the current state of medical cannabis in California. Since 1992, I have advocated for safe, affordable access for medical cannabis patients, provided social services and education to patients and their caregivers, and became a compliance expert in the medical cannabis industry where I have worked with nearly 3,500 cannabis business operators since 2003.  

January of last year I began asking patients about their experiences at cannabis outlets as the new rules came into effect.  After several dozen inquiries I got the same answer from all of them. None of the patients I spoke with are purchasing medical cannabis from licensed cannabis businesses.  They all said they found more affordable options and could no longer pay the prices at the regulated shops.  

I asked cannabis business operators if they still saw their patient members and one operator stated, “before I got my ‘A’ license I had 8,000 patient members – after January (2018) I haven’t seen any of them.”  Another operator told me he can’t blame patients for finding other means because his low-income patients are suffering under the new rules.

There are numerous ways in which the current regulations make medical cannabis unaffordable.  The fees and over-taxation from seed to sale and every process in between is currently driving the underground market, and this market appears to be expanding as is the demand for it.  No amount of enforcement will alleviate this unless the prices in the regulated market can come down.  Prices have increased under the current regulations 28% - 36% more than patients were paying a little over a year ago, and many have taken their business elsewhere.

I ask the California State Legislature to please make reasonable amendments to our medical cannabis regulations so that the price can return to what the patient market will bear, $30 - $55 per eight of an ounce of flower after tax.  Please make the rules reasonable for businesses that want to provide free and low-cost medical cannabis products to indigent patients. 

During the 2016 Election patient advocates were told repeatedly that Prop 64 would NOT interfere with Prop 215.  The lack of affordability that is pushing  patients to the black market, and the lack of compassion programs were not the intent of Prop 64.  California can have a lucrative cannabis industry and still take care of patients; this is what the voters intended. 

I thank you for your time and consideration and look forward to working the California legislature to restore Compassion to our state’s medical cannabis regulations. 

Sincerely,

Degé Coutee

President, Executive & Program Director

Patient Advocacy Network

@PAN4Compassion

www.CannabisSavesLives.org

PAN is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization

Give Thanks To The Patients That Made It Possible

This past election we saw two more states become medical: Utah and Missouri; and the first state in the mid-west to adopt recreational: Michigan.  

Thailand is eyeing being the first Asian country to approve medical cannabis laws. Canada is concerned about its dwindling medical cannabis supply since the implementation of adult use and is teaming up Jamaica for product.  

As we watch the industry take on challenges from city to city, state to state, and country to country, one thing remains the same, patients are concerned about cost and availability of medical cannabis in every regulated jurisdiction.

Over-regulation and hyper-taxation is putting a stranglehold on patients. Affordability and availability is an issue everywhere medical cannabis is approved.  Patient advocates hoped that adult recreational would help, not harm, access to medical, but it has made things worse for patients.

Unfortunately, licensed providers, or those hoping to become licensed are silent to the plight of patients for fear of losing authorized approval.  Defending patients often means advocating for affordability, lower-taxation, and compassion programs.  State and local governments don’t want to hear about programs that lower the potential revenue and therefore, providers don’t bring it up.  In some cases, license applicants that have solely wanted to serve patients have had their applications denied over those proposing large adult recreational outlets.  

As a result the basic greed by business owners and government officials has thrown patients under the bus.  Compassion was vetoed in California because the overall projected revenue is down and the governor would not approve a program that would eliminate some taxation, even for the poorest, sickest patients that aren’t even buying it retail anyway.  The revenue is down because the taxation and fees are too high and the underground market is thriving.  California’s legislature seems to be too blind to figure this out and/or too impotent to act.  The recent MJ Biz Conference didn’t even acknowledge medical cannabis or patients with any speakers or panels.  

So, hopefully, all of the profiteers in the industry this Thanksgiving will say ‘Thank You’ to all of the patients and advocates that took to the streets, took to city halls and statehouse chambers to expose themselves publicly as people that use cannabis, people that are regularly in possession of the cannabis, people that always have cannabis in their systems, people that may be cultivating cannabis, people with a disease that they may not have shared with others.  

This was the level of exposure that patients, providers and caregivers had to offer to get elected officials to listen and take action.  These were the people that experienced the DEA raids, had their bank accounts closed, lost jobs, had children taken away and lost housing for being a medical cannabis patient.  Some went on to federal prison for following state law.  

So, all of you CEO’s, COO’s, VP’s, and others of major cannabis companies, please thank poor, disabled patients brave enough to expose themselves to their governments, the media and law enforcement about some of the most private and sensitive parts of their lives during a very dangerous time to help pass laws long before you now get to exploit them for profit.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Recent Headlines

Medical Cannabis News Around California

Four Palm Springs area pot shops are among the first in California to get annual licenses

https://www.desertsun.com/story/money/2018/11/05/palm-springs-cathedral-city-pot-shops-among-first-california-get-annual-weed-licenses/1892094002/

California needs more time to vet and license marijuana businesses

https://www.ocregister.com/2018/10/09/california-needs-more-time-to-vet-and-license-marijuana-businesses/

Palm Springs Airport clears up confusion for pot on planes

https://www.kesq.com/news/palm-springs-airport-clears-up-confusion-for-pot-on-planes/806083745

California Court Says Police Have to Give Back Marijuana They Seize During Arrests

https://www.civilized.life/articles/police-give-back-seized-legal-marijuana/

Money laundering claims linked to illegal out-of-state marijuana sales

https://calcoastnews.com/2018/10/money-laundering-claims-linked-to-illegal-out-of-state-marijuana-sales/

The Eruption Of Illegal Weed Dispensaries In L.A. Is A Problem Of The City's Own Making

https://psmag.com/economics/the-eruption-of-illegal-weed-dispensaries-in-l-a-is-a-problem-of-the-citys-own-making

Kern County voters reject all cannabis measures

https://www.bakersfield.com/news/politics/election-2018/kern-county-voters-reject-all-cannabis-measures/article_cffac25c-e23a-11e8-af64-abde4dc7793c.html

Voters give thumbs up to cannabis taxes in Lake, Mendocino, Solano counties

https://www.sonomanews.com/business/8929947-181/voters-give-thumbs-up-to

Medical Cannabis News Around The U.S.

The future is bright for medical cannabis

https://www.thegrowthop.com/cannabis-business/the-future-is-bright-for-medical-cannabis

Guns and Medical Marijuana: An Illegal Mix, According to Feds

https://foxbaltimore.com/features/operation-crime-justice/guns-and-medical-marijuana-an-illegal-mix-according-to-feds

Marijuana Stocks Spiked After Jeff Sessions Resigned

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/11/jeff-sessions-resignation-weed-stocks/575296/

AG Brnovich seeks to outlaw hashish for medical-marijuana patients in Arizona

https://tucson.com/news/local/arizona-attorney-general-wants-state-high-court-to-outlaw-hashish/article_f7ad49f2-2199-5190-9e7e-0d3c7b9fb06e.html

Arkansas medical marijuana program well behind other states

https://katv.com/news/local/arkansas-medical-marijuana-program-well-behind-other-states

Florida - Gov. Scott appeals major medical marijuana ruling

https://www.wpbf.com/article/gov-scott-appeals-major-medical-marijuana-ruling/23943055

Florida - Tampa's largest medical marijuana dispensary opens

https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/10/08/tampas-largest-medical-marijuana-dispensary-opens.html

No clear guidelines on testing for medical marijuana in Florida

https://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/west-palm-beach/no-clear-guidelines-on-testing-for-medical-marijuana-in-florida

Illinois - Medical marijuana use up 83% in state; PTSD most common condition treated

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-medical-marijuana-illinois-annual-report-20181004-story.html

Illinois - SIU to create medical marijuana certificate program, launch new research into industrial hemp

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-siu-marijuana-course-20181026-story.html

Indiana lawmakers are considering medical marijuana.

One legislator said he tried it.

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/19/indiana-lawmakers-consider-medical-marijuana-legalization/1688258002/#

Medical Marijuana in Indiana After Jeff Sessions and With New Legislators

https://www.wibc.com/news/local-news/medical-marijuana-indiana-after-jeff-sessions-and-new-legislators

Medical marijuana clinic opening Monday in Louisiana

https://www.knoe.com/content/news/Medical-marijuana-clinic-opening-Monday-in-Louisiana-495901071.html

Louisiana - Medical marijuana plants are ready for harvest, but lack of a testing lab could lead to delays

https://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf/2018/10/medical_marijuana_held_up_by_l.html

Michigan's medical marijuana patients can now register online

https://www.wilx.com/content/news/Michigans-medical-marihuana-patients-can-now-register-online-498691841.html

Coast mayor backs Mississippi’s medical marijuana campaign, hosts event

https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/jackson-county/article219956760.html

Fight To Legalize Medical Marijuana In Missouri Intensifies As Groups Battle Over Tax Rates

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/fight-to-legalize-medical-marijuana-in-missouri-intensifies-as-groups-battle-over-tax-rates/

All about Amendment 2, the medical marijuana proposal approved in Missouri on Tuesday

https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/07/missouri-medical-marijuana-amendment-2-approved-what-means/1915973002/

Higher costs, local bans have Montana's small medical marijuana producers scaling up or shutting down

https://billingsgazette.com/news/local/higher-costs-local-bans-have-montana-s-small-medical-marijuana/article_487292d8-7e9e-5b71-8a2e-da444120859d.html

New Jersey - There's a big win for medical marijuana patients in the fine print of new bill

https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2018/10/theres_a_win_for_patients_in_the_fine_print_of_new.html

New York Bill Would Require Medical Marijuana Be Covered By Public Health Insurance

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-york-bill-would-require-medical-marijuana-be-covered-by-public-health-insurance/

North Dakota - UPDATE: Patient applications for medical marijuana available Oct 29

https://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/Patient-applications-for-medical-marijuana-available-Oct-29-497817491.html

Some things to know about Ohio’s medical marijuana program

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/health-and-medicine/article220301080.html

Oklahoma gets 600 medical marijuana dispensary applications

https://www.thestate.com/news/article219666495.html

Registered medical marijuana patients dropping fast in Oregon

https://www.oregonlive.com/marijuana/index.ssf/2018/11/oregpm.html

Rhode Island - Autism spectrum disorder now recognized as treatable by medical marijuana in RI

https://news4sanantonio.com/news/nation-world/autism-spectrum-disorder-now-recognized-as-treatable-by-medical-marijuana-in-ri

San Antonio state senator files medical marijuana bill for Texas

https://www.kiiitv.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-state-senator-files-medical-marijuana-bill-for-texas/503-613856509

Utah - Winners and losers from this week’s big medical marijuana deal

https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2018/10/05/winners-losers-this-weeks/

Utah Voters Approve Medical Marijuana

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomangell/2018/11/07/utah-voters-approve-medical-marijuana/#5aba04b84140

Medical marijuana backers threaten to sue over LDS Church involvement in compromise bill to replace Prop 2

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2018/11/15/medical-marijuana-backers/

Concerns about deadline being met about medical marijuana in West Virginia

https://www.wtrf.com/news/west-virginia-headlines/concerns-about-deadline-being-met-about-medical-marijuana-in-west-virginia/1536195630

International Medical Cannabis News

Forget Stoners. The Real Money Is in Medical Marijuana

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-12/medical-marijuana-is-where-the-real-money-is

Australia’s cannabis industry set to boom: report

https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/human-body/australias-cannabis-industry-set-to-boom-report/news-story/8900ec761318b3b66f90c254c23d9948

Canada - Medical pot shortage to last 18 months: Medicinal Cannabis Resource Centre  

https://www.citynews1130.com/2018/11/15/medical-pot-shortage-to-last-18-months-medicinal-cannabis-resource-centre/

Canada – OMA president's comments, apology raise questions about stigma around marijuana

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/medical-community-marijuana-divide-1.4853639

Canada - Unlicensed medical pot dispensaries the wildcard in new cannabis landscape

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/sask-unlicensed-dispensaries-marijuana-cannabis-1.4868961

Guam Governor Vetoes Medical Marijuana Bill, Saying it "Reeks of Legislative Arrogance"

http://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/guam-governor-vetoes-medical-marijuana-bill/

Lithuania parliament votes to legalise medicinal cannabis use

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-10-lithuania-parliament-votes-legalise-medicinal.html

Polish government approves import of medical cannabis

https://emerging-europe.com/news/polish-government-approves-import-of-medical-cannabis/

UK - Medical cannabis ‘will be available on prescription within a month’

https://metro.co.uk/2018/10/07/medical-cannabis-will-be-available-on-prescription-within-a-month-8013071/

Medical cannabis will soon be available on prescription in the UK, but who will get it?

https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/medical-cannabis-will-soon-be-available-on-prescription-in-the-uk-but-who-will-get-it/

Republic of Vanuatu Legalizes Medical Cannabis

https://www.ganjapreneur.com/republic-of-vanuatu-legalizes-medical-cannabis/

A Brief History Of Compassionate Care

California, the first state to pass a medical marijuana law, by a vote of the people, largely in response to the AIDS crisis.  People were literally dying in the streets of San Francisco, mostly due to starvation or dehydration.  These people could not hold down food or water due to their medications and wasted away, perished.

A group of advocates in SF decided that maybe smoking out these AIDS patients and feeding them soup could help save lives.  It worked.  AIDS patients would smoke, get hungry, eat, hold down their food and meds. Cannabis was saving lives and giving people more livable lives.  Many of these patients eventually passed away,  but it was not due to starvation or dehydration on the streets – but with dignity and a support network.  

A group of marijuana activists and patient advocates did not want to see these brave providers go to jail for giving away cannabis.  So, the Compassionate Use Act was born AKA Prop. 215:

The Compassionate Use Act of 1996

The people of the State of California hereby find and declare that the purposes of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 are as follows:

To ensure that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes where that medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician who has determined that the person’s health would benefit from the use of marijuana in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief. 

To ensure that patients and their primary caregivers who obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes upon the recommendation of a physician are not subject to criminal prosecution or sanction. 

To encourage the federal and state  governments to implement a plan to provide for the safe and affordable distribution of marijuana to all patients in medical need of marijuana. 

-----

The law passed in 1996 and is the foundation of a medical cannabis model where compassionate people were giving marijuana away for free to those that needed it most, not only in  San Francisco, but WAMM in Santa Cruz and the work of Brownie Mary are other examples of Compassionate Care.  These providers were not in it for money.  They wanted sick people to have more livable lives, and to pass with dignity and little suffering.  This is the spirit of medical cannabis and compassion.  

With this movement also came the first dispensaries.  Not all patients are gravely ill. Many are productive, have jobs, and are receiving relief from their conditions from medical marijuana. Still many dispensaries were giving cannabis away to their neediest patients, veterans, and those on disability, and have been doing so up until recently.

Prop 64 made it illegal to give cannabis away.  This year elected officials saw the harm in this and introduced SB 829 – to allow for a Compassionate Care license – which is supposed to diminish the fees and taxes on cannabis intended for ‘non-commercial purposes.’  

The problem with this bill is it that a business operator can ONLY acquire a Compassionate Care license if they have an M license.  Certainly those with M licenses should have the option of providing a Compassionate Care program.  However, those that want to be purely a Compassionate Care business should not have to acquire an M license.  

Here’s why: An authentic Compassionate Care entity runs as a not for profit social service agency, and has no retail sales making the need for any retail cannabis license unnecessary.  It is costly to get and maintain an M license, especially for a not for profit Compassionate Care provider.    

Those that want to operate solely as a not for profit Compassionate Care business should have the option to do so without being required to have other costly licenses they won’t use – just so the state can get more revenue.

This is one of many provisions that needs to be changed in Prop 64, and it should never, ever, ever be illegal to give medical cannabis away for free.  

Patients, Advocates And Providers Partner To Reform 64 For Fair, Affordable Regulations

Dear Colleague in Compassion,

I need your help to ensure that medical cannabis patients and providers have a voice in Sacramento. Over-taxation has made patient access to medical cannabis unaffordable for many.  Business operators report unworkable, burdensome, and expensive rules.  As a result of these issues there is a significant drop in the projected revenue California expected from the licensed cannabis industry.

Better regulations are needed now.  We cannot hesitate to take action.  Together, we can improve regulations, and protect patients and providers from excessive taxation and other barriers.  

Patient Advocacy Network is prepared to coordinate this effort, a collaboration of constituents and stakeholders engaging the legislature for fair regulations.  Please become a monthly sponsor now so PAN can get started immediately.

You will be invited to attend statewide task force meetings via conference call.  

You will receive informational and educational flyers to share with patients and caregivers.

Your contribution helps sponsor free letter writing workshops and other pertinent patient trainings.  

Your contribution will help sponsor patients’ travel to Sacramento to meet with legislative officials and deliver their letters.  We will also delivery letters on behalf of patients that are unable to travel. 

You will receive action alerts and be informed of any upcoming legislative hearings.

You will receive regular updates on the progress of the campaign.  

This effort takes diligence, consistency and commitment.  PAN is ready to start right now.  Your monthly donation ensures we move swiftly and consistently until we achieve our goal of fair regulations, and reasonable taxation for medical cannabis providers and patients.  

Donations are always tax-deductible and monthly contribution set-up is easy when you make your donation at Cannabis Patient Voice. 

Please choose a monthly sponsorship level that is best.

Medical Cannabis Provider Sponsorships

$100.00/mo. --  $150.00/mo.  --  $250.00/mo. -- Other

Patient Sponsorships

$5.00/mo. --  $10.00/mo.  --  $15.00/mo. 

Friends of PAN

$25.00/mo. --  $50.00/mo.  

Other payment methods and in-kind donations also accepted. A tax-deductible receipt will be provided.  PAN is a charitable 501(c)(3).  

If you have ANY questions, please contact me directly at (323) 334-5282.  I look forward to working with you.

Thank you for your support!


Sincerely,

Degé Coutee
President, Patient Advocacy Network

Patient Coach From SoCal

California Capitol 

Some Of The Early Patient, Provider Survey Feedback

“The taxes are just too, damn high,” is the sentiment from most Californians and it’s now true for medical cannabis patients, too.  

PAN recently asked patients and providers how the new rules are affecting them.  Many patients reported no longer using retail outlets due to the cost and now use some other source, the un-regulated market.  

Shop owners are feeling this, too.  They report lower numbers of visits since the new taxes and fees took effect.   Some are frustrated with what they call rogue shops in their area, and state they know some of their patients have found growers to help supply them.  

Cultivators appear to be the most disgruntled with the licensing process, on both the local and state level.  In February of this year it was reported that only 0.78% of the estimated growers in California had been approved for a temporary license.  

The California Growers Association has filed a lawsuit against California Department of Food and Agriculture, the state agency that issues cultivation licenses.  The suit calls out new provisions in the regulations that allow a medium license holder to apply for an unlimited number of small cultivation licenses.  

The suit goes on to argue that Prop. 64 allowed a 5-year window for small growers to get established before the state issues what many refer to as the mega-licenses. This new policy of  “stacking” as the lawyers call it violates the intent of the voter initiative by basically creating a loophole to allow large-scale cultivation operations now.

California is not seeing the revenue it projected from the cannabis industry due to all of these issues.  

PAN continues take feedback, monitor the cannabis industry, work with the California legislature and help patients with Compassionate access.  

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Patient Advocacy Network is a charitable 501(c)(3) and needs your support.  

Please click the Donate button on this page and make a $25.00 donation.  You can also sign-up to be a monthly sponsor - $5 - $25 monthly donations go a long way!

All contributions directly benefit the programs and services of Patient Advocacy Network. A tax-deductible receipt will be provided.  

Thank you!

Patient And Provider Survey

Patient Advocacy Network wants to hear from patients about their experiences with accessing medical cannabis.  

Additionally, we want to here from medical cannabis businesses that are having a difficult time navigating and/or affording regulations, fees, and taxes.

PAN’s mission is to help patients get the safe, affordable access they need, and help providers get better regulations.  Your input helps us know where we need to focus our efforts.  Please let us know your experiences.  

You can leave your comments below, email us at patientadvocates@riseup.net or call us at (323) 334-5282.  We are here for patients and providers.  

Are your favorite dispensaries still around?

Have they survived regulations?

Are you able to find a location?  Do you live in a medical cannabis desert?

Can you afford medical cannabis?  Are all the new taxes and fees making such that you are going without, relying on the underground market?

Are you able to access Compassion Programs for free or discounted cannabis?

Has legalization in your state made it easier or harder to access affordable medical cannabis?

Were you able to get a business license or permit for your commercial cannabis business?

Are the taxes and fees pushing your business under?

Are you concerned that Big Agriculture, Big Pharma is going to leverage your state for a commercial cannabis takeover?

Have you decided that you have to operate underground?

We look forward to hearing from you.  We respect and honor your privacy in your responses.

Compassionate Care Bill Continues Through Committee

California Assembly Chamber

California’s Compassion Care Bill – SB 829 is bill to remove some of the financial barriers to cannabis business operators that want to provide products to medical cannabis patients in need.  As the current regulations stand, small collectives dedicated to assisting patients are having a difficult time or closing altogether.

The bill’s author, Senator Scott Wiener, stated in a media interview that is was not the intent of the voters to over tax patients and put compassionate collectives and cooperatives out of business.  What Wiener apparently missed is that the Bureau of Cannabis Control is doing away with collectives and cooperatives on January 9, 2019. 

SB 829 is currently making its way through Assembly Committees.  The next committee to hear this bill is Appropriations.  PAN has written to all committee members and their staff in support of Compassionate Care with an important amendment – keep collectives and cooperatives, especially in conjunction with Compassionate Care.  This business model is a natural fit for operations that give away much of their product to indigent patients.  

If you want to contact the Appropriations Committee, please find more information below.  This bill is not scheduled for hearing yet but anticipated to be heard the beginning of August. If you want or need assistance writing your comments to the committee, please contact PAN.  We are here to help you be an effective advocate. 

Look up the bill here:

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billSearchClient.xhtml

Learn more about the Committee here:

https://apro.assembly.ca.gov

Email list of Assembly Committee members, their chief of staff where available, and the Committee Consultants

Jay Dickenson – Chief Consultant Appropriations Committee  

jay.dickenson@asm.ca.gov

Jennifer Galehouse – Deputy Chief Consultant  

Jennifer.Galehouse@asm.ca.gov

Lorena S. Gonzalez Fletcher (Chair)

assemblymember.gonzalez@assembly.ca.gov,evan.mclaughlin@asm.ca.gov

Frank Bigelow (Vice Chair)

assemblymember.bigelow@assembly.ca.gov,kirk.kimmelshue@asm.ca.gov

Richard Bloom

assemblymember.bloom@assembly.ca.gov, sean.macneil@asm.ca.gov

Rob Bonta

assemblymember.bonta@assembly.ca.gov,evan.corder@asm.ca.gov

William P. Brough

assemblymember.brough@assembly.ca.gov

Ian C. Calderon

assemblymember.calderon@assembly.ca.gov,tom.white@asm.ca.gov

Wendy Carrillo

assemblymember.carrillo@assembly.ca.gov,Alicia.Isaacs@asm.ca.gov

Ed Chau

assemblymember.chau@assembly.ca.gov,edmundo.cuevas@asm.ca.gov

Susan Talamantes Eggman

assemblymember.eggman@assembly.ca.gov,david.stammerjohan@asm.ca.gov

Vince Fong

assemblymember.fong@assembly.ca.gov,Samuel.Chung@asm.ca.gov

Laura Friedman

assemblymember.friedman@assembly.ca.gov,Allison.Ruff@asm.ca.gov

James Gallagher

assemblymember.gallagher@assembly.ca.gov,Curtis.Grima@asm.ca.gov

Eduardo Garcia

assemblymember.eduardogarcia@assembly.ca.gov

Adrin Nazarian

assemblymember.nazarian@assembly.ca.gov,daniel.savage@asm.ca.gov

Jay Obernolte

assemblymember.obernolte@assembly.ca.gov

Bill Quirk

assemblymember.quirk@assembly.ca.gov,Tomasa.Duenas@asm.ca.gov

Eloise Gómez Reyes

assemblymember.reyes@assembly.ca.gov,Mark.Farouk@asm.ca.gov

#####

Moving Forward – Medical Cannabis In California Since Legalization

Since the passage, implementation, and constant addition of new provisions to Prop. 64, Patient Advocacy Network has been observing how the roll out of the new laws is affecting safe and affordable access to medical cannabis by California’s most vulnerable patients.

Medical Marijuana Deserts

One of the biggest issues is what is known as medical marijuana deserts.  These are the areas of the state where there are many concentrated local bans and therefore, patients must travel quite a way to access medical cannabis.  Low-income and disabled patients already have a hard time accessing transportation; California’s gas prices don’t help.  Helping patients overcome this obstacle is a large priority for PAN.

Compassionate Care, Collectives & Cooperatives

California SB 829 is a bill to create a Compassionate Care License that would be issued to M-license holders to allow the businesses to provide medical cannabis to qualified patients at no cost.  The businesses would not be subject to cultivation or excise taxes for donating products down the chain that ultimately ends up with the patient as no cost.  

There are patients that simply cannot afford the medicine they need for their condition, whether that is the disabled veteran on a fixed income that needs a couple joints a week, or a working class patient with cancer that needs to eat at least a gram of hash as day for a few months.  There are providers and producers that remain committed to this charitable effort to help people be well who cannot afford the only remedy that works for them. 

Patient Advocates are pleased to see that the California legislature is taking this on sooner than later which is important as there is one huge glaring omission that we can fix before the end of the session.  The Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC) will end collectives and cooperatives by declaring that on January 9, 2019, that Section 11362.775 of the Health and Safety Code will no longer be in effect. 

Compassionate Care licensing, and the collective and cooperative business model work very well together for the purpose of providing cannabis for free to vulnerable patients.  When done correctly, it is already a tax-exempt project for authentic compassion services. This business model is not for everyone.  Many medical cannabis businesses are glad to move away from the closed loop, not-for-profit structure.  However, there are several entities that would like to operate solely as a Compassionate entity and the state of California should absolutely allow it. 

SB 829’s author Senator Scott Wiener said in a statement that, “Applying taxes to compassionate care will shut down collectives, and I can’t imagine that was the intent of voters.” Well, the BCC is shutting down collectives anyway and Wiener clearly believes that this is not the intent of the voters. It is going to be up to us to remind the bill’s authors and the legislature that collectives and cooperatives must be maintained and can be protected them under this bill.

Take Action

You are urged to contact the bill’s authors and let them know that you support Compassionate Care and retaining the collective and cooperative model for authentic low-income patient providers.  

Senator Scott Wiener

(916) 651-4011

senator.wiener@senate.ca.gov

Assemblymember Jim Wood

(916) 319-2002

assemblymember.wood@assembly.ca.gov

SB 829 will be heard in the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation on June 25, 2018.   You can FAX your comments to (916) 319-2198 for the entire committee.  Make sure your letter states SUPPORT SB 829 WITH AMENDMENTS or OPPOSE SB 829 WITH AMENDMENTS near the top so the committee knows your position.  The suggested amendments would be to include collectives and cooperatives in the bill for those businesses that want to operate this way and that this business model works well with the Compassionate Care license.

If you want to know more about this committee or reach out to them – maybe one is your representative,  you can find them here:  http://arev.assembly.ca.gov/membersstaff

For updates follow Patient Advocacy Network on twitter  @PAN4Compassion

or sign up for email updates at http://www.cannabissaveslives.org

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Dear, Senator Scott Weiner –

I write you as a medical cannabis patient advocate for over two decades.  My biggest concern with the implementation of the new cannabis business regulations thus far has been the lack of opportunity for truly compassionate providers in the industry.  These medical cannabis providers give away some to all of their products to some of California’s most vulnerable patients, but these compassionate providers can’t afford to participate under the regulations.  These businesses should not be erased.

You were recently quoted as stating that taxing compassionate care will shut down collectives and this was not the intent of the voters.  The Bureau of Cannabis Control announced it will end collectives and cooperatives, declaring that on January 9, 2019, that Section 11362.775 of the Health and Safety Code will no longer be in effect.   The amendment SB 829 needs is to preserve collectives and cooperatives. Compassion Care, and collectives and cooperatives go together.  

A for-profit M and A retail license holder may offer 5 - 10% of its product to indigent patients and have no desire to be a collective or cooperative, but should have the Compassionate Care exemption for the products donated to patients. However, California has a history of authentic collectives and cooperatives that give away ALL medical cannabis to qualified patient members.  

The feedback I’ve received is that most in the industry want not-for-profit collectives and cooperatives to be preserved, especially as an option for entities that give away most to all of their products and want to operate as a not-for-profit.  Some of these groups are working with hospice programs, veterans and other vulnerable patients. The groups that formed in the Bay area by 1993, specifically to give away cannabis and food primarily to AIDS and cancer patients, are what prompted the Compassionate Use Act and the medical marijuana movement as a whole.  Not-for-profit, compassionate work is the foundation of California’s medical cannabis law and history.

I ask you for your consideration in working with your colleagues to preserve collectives and cooperatives as a medical cannabis business license option, especially for operations, vertically integrated or not, that operate as a not-for-profit and/or give away most or all of its product.  I thank you taking on this important issue and for your time and consideration.  

 Sincerely,

Degé Coutee

President, Executive & Program Director

Patient Advocacy Network

(323) 334-5282

P.O. Box 93845, Los Angeles, CA 90093

@PAN4Compassion

www.CannabisSavesLives.org

https://www.facebook.com/xoFreeMaryJaneox

PAN is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization

cc: Assemblymember Jim Wood,  Senator Jeff Stone,  Senator Scott Wilk,  Assemblymember Ken Wilk,   M. David Ruff - Chief Consultant, Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation